BOSTON – University of Vermont senior John Benner has been named America East Male Track Performer of the Week following his first-place finish in the 1000 meter run on Saturday (Jan. 18) at the Middlebury Winterfell. America East announced its weekly awards on Tuesday afternoon.

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America East Release
 
"John's races this weekend were outstanding; and they show just how well-prepared he is for this indoor season from both a strength and speed standpoint," said head coach Matt Belfield. "Coach Gingras and I rely heavily on him for leadership and consistent excellence on the track; and John is always ready for the challenge of performing at a high level."
 
Benner recorded a personal-best time of 2:28.24 in the mid-distance run to win by 1.48 seconds. His adjusted time, accounting for Virtue Field House's flat track, was 2:26.23. That mark is currently the fastest 1000 meter time in the conference and qualified Benner for the New England Championships and the ECAC/IC4A Championships later in the season.
 
The senior has two other victories to start the indoor season. At the Dartmouth Relays (Jan. 10), Benner won the mile with a time of 4:12.80 and ran a leg on the winning 4x800 meter relay team that finished in 7:53.20. Benner currently owns Vermont's top marks in the 1000 and mile this season.
 
The Needham, Massachusetts native is a captain for the 2019-20 Vermont track & field team. Benner is UVM's record holder in the outdoor 3000 meter run with a time of 8:34.85, which was set on March 30, 2019. Last season, Benner earned America East All-Conference honors and was also named an All-New England Performer.
 
Benner and the Catamounts earned a pair of team victories on Saturday at the Middlebury Winterfell. The men tallied 263 points while the women posted 185.5 points to both get their first wins of the season.
 
Vermont splits up into meets at Boston University, Middlebury, and New Hampshire next week. The Catamounts will be competing in the two-day Terrier Invite at BU, beginning on Friday (Jan. 24). On Saturday (Jan. 25), UVM will continue the Terrier Invite while also sending groups to the Middlebury Invitational and UNH.