Cartier snags GPAC track athlete of the week accolades
SEWARD, Neb. – On the strength of his performance at the Prairie Wolf Invitational on Jan. 24, Concordia senior John Cartier has earned GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Track Athlete of the Week recognition, as announced by the conference on Wednesday.
Cartier, the 2012 and 2013 GPAC 400 meter indoor champion, placed first in the 400 meter dash with an automatic national qualifying time of 49.40 at the Prairie Wolf Invite. That time currently ranks best in the GPAC this season and No. 11 on the NAIA leaderboard.
The native of Las Vegas, Nev., also took third in the 200 meter dash by clocking in at 22.48, just off a qualifying time. As part of the 4x400 meter relay, Cartier helped the Bulldogs to a fourth-place finish in a time of 3:22.77, coming up less than two seconds short of an automatic qualifying mark. That time is the best in the GPAC this season and lands fifth on the national leaderboard.
In his career, Cartier has qualified for the national championships twice in the 400 meters, earning All-America status at the indoor championships in 2011. He has also run legs for three All-American 4x400 meter relay teams. He has garnered a total of 20 all-conference mentions. Cartier’s 400 meter time of 48.34 at the 2012 GPAC indoor championships ranks second on the program’s all-time list.
Cartier and the Bulldogs return to action this weekend at the Concordia Classic held on Friday and Saturday in the Walz Field House. The schedule of events is available HERE.
