The Southern Illinois women's team is ranked eighth in the latest (Jan. 25) USTFCCCA rankings. 

This week's Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week are Jeff Schirmer (SIU), Daniel Gooris (UNI), Malaikah Love (SIU) and Gwen Berry (SIU).

STATE FARM MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jeff Schirmer, Sr., Southern Illinois
A week removed from a second place finish in the mile run at last week’s Saluki Open, Jeff Schirmer took it one step further with a dominating win in the 5000m invitational at the Gladstein Invitational. The senior’s time of 14:07.32 not only was four seconds better than unattached runner Mark Fruin, but it is also the fastest time in the nation, besting Kiplangat Tisia of Kent State by 15 seconds.

STATE FARM MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Daniel Gooris, Jr., UNI
Daniel Gooris posted a score of 5,344 points in the heptathlon at the Jack Johnson Classic hosted by the University of Minnesota. In taking second place at the meet, Gooris is now atop the MVC performance list and ranked No. 6 in the nation in the heptathlon. He won the shot put and pole vault portions of the heptathlon at Minnesota and took second in the high jump and 1000m.

STATE FARM MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Malaikah Love, Jr., Southern Illinois
Junior Malaikah Love turned in one of the more remarkable performances at last weekend’s Gladstein Invitational with a convincing win in the women’s pentathlon with 3979 total points. The Carbondale, Ill., native won four of the five events - the 60m hurdles, shot put, long jump, and 800m run - in the process and finished third in the high jump. Additionally, her 3979 points put her in the top ranked spot in the nation.

STATE FARM MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Gwen Berry, Sr., Southern Illinois
Gwen Berry notched her first event win of the season Saturday at Indiana’s Gladstein Invitational with victory in the women’s weight throw with a distance of 74-06.25. The senior, who set a new personal best with the toss, would defeat teammate Jeneva McCall by two and a half feet, while also topping Louisville’s D’Ana McCarty - the NCAA’s two-time defending weight throw national champion. Berry’s mark also landed her at the top of the national list in women’s weight throw.