BEMIDJI , Minn. -- Bemidji State University track and field athletes Kristi Buerkle (So., Stacy, Minn.) and Zac Preble (Jr., Coleraine, Minn.) have been named Beaver Pride Athletes of the Week for exceptional athletic performances during the week of Jan. 12-18.

Buerkle captured two event titles in Bemidji State University’s Super 8 Open Saturday. She clocked her fastest time of the young 2009 season in the 200-meter dash breaking the tape in a time of 26.17, while posting a 58.60 in her first 400 of the season.

Preble captured the heptathlon title at the Super 8 Open, breaking his own school record and provisionally qualifying for the NCAA Division II Indoor championship in the process. Preble posted a 4,960 to rank third in the country and out score the rest of the Super 8 field by more than 900 points. The junior earned event victories in the 55-meter hurdles (8.40), pole vault (14-01.25) and shot put (50-00.00) en route to his record-setting win.

The Bemidji State men’s and women’s indoor track and field team will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Superior, Wis. to compete in the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Blizzard open. The event is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the UWS Health and Wellness Center.