Two stars
The University at Buffalo's male and female athletes of the week are Jake Blowers and Jenny Koeppel.
Koeppel, of the women's indoor track and field team, made the NCAA provisional mark in the 3,000-meter race at the Penn State Sykes-Sabock Challenge over the weekend. Koeppel faced a competitive field, including runners from Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, and Mid-American Conference rivals Kent State, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Ball State. Koeppel's time of 9:34.55 not only set the NCAA provisional mark, but also established a new school record and a new personal best. Her time is also the fastest time in the 3,000-meter race in the MAC this season.
Blowers, of the wrestling team, recorded a pin on the mat with just 2:03 remaining in UB's 18-16 victory over Kent State last Friday. Blowers made his way into the starting lineup for the first time in his collegiate career earlier this year, and since then has held a record of 13-13. The victory was the Bulls' first win in conference play this season and just their second overall.
Beast of the east
UB Bulls' senior point guard Turner Battle was named the Mid-American Conference East division player of the week for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career.
In Buffalo's victories over Western Michigan and Ball State last week, Battle averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Against Western Michigan, Battle propelled the Bulls to victory, chipping in 18 points and five assists. The victory over the Broncos was UB's first ever victory in Kalamazoo, Mich.
On Saturday, Battle showed he was not camera shy and was able to put in 14 points, while notching seven rebounds and four assists to lead the Bulls to victory on ESPN2.
So far this year, Battle is averaging 15.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
Working it in the water
Jennefer Brankovsky of the women's swimming and diving team received Mid-American Conference swimmer of the week honors for the second time this year.
Brankovsky led the Bulls with two victories in their final regular season meet at Cornell. In addition, she had a second place finish. Her recorded time in the second place finish was a season best in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 58.66.
Brankovsky won the award earlier this year, when she won three events to help the Bulls defeat St. Bonaventure in November.
