PORTLAND, Ore. – David Njeri was going far. Annika Esvelt was going fast.
 
Njeri recorded the first 49-foot triple jump of his career, Esvelt made her debut in the 3000 meters with a sub-10 minute run, and both Seattle Pacific standouts have been honored by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for their performances in last Saturday's Spokane Invitational.
 
The Men's Field Athlete of the Week award went to Njeri, and the Women's Track Athlete of the Week honor went to Esvelt.
 
On the last of his six jumps inside The Podium, which was hosting its first-ever meet since being completed earlier this year, Njeri went 49 feet, 0¾ inches. That was the second-farthest jump in GNAC indoor history, exceeded only by the 49-5 recorded twice by Luke Plummer of Central Washington (2015 and 2017).
 
Njeri's mark, which gave him second place in the meet, put him onto the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying list and currently ranks No. 7 in the country.
 
In addition to the triple, Njeri, a junior, clocked a personal-best 7.18 seconds in the 60-meter dash.
 
It's the second time Njeri has hit a triple jump milestone in Spokane. Last April 30, he logged his first 48-footer, this one coming outdoors at the Buc Scoring Invitational when he went 48-0½.
 
Esvelt ran to an NCAA provisional qualifying time in the 3000 meters. Competing in her first collegiate indoor meet, she finished her 15 laps around the banked 200-meter oval in 9 minutes, 57.68 seconds, giving her fourth place. That time ranks No. 12 on the national list. Hers was the only NCAA mark posted by a GNAC athlete on the track or in the field this past weekend.
 
Along with the 3K, Esvelt, a freshman for athletic eligibility, raced in the mile, taking third place in 5:06.38.
 
Njeri's Athlete of the Week award was his first. Esvelt picked up her first for track to go along with the two she won for cross country during the fall.
 
The Falcons return to action after the holiday break, competing at the UW Indoor Preview on Saturday, Jan. 15, at Dempsey Indoor on the University of Washington campus.