Even without the benefit of a high school track season, Anchorage’s Tristian Merchant managed to create a title-worthy performance.
The ACS junior broke the nine-minute benchmark in the 3,200 meters at an unofficial time trail with friends.
Merchant is believed to be just the fourth high school runner from Alaska to break the nine-minute mark, crossing the line in 8:59.07.
He joined Don Clary (1974), Trevor Dunbar (2009) and Levi Thomet (2015) in the exclusive club.
The athlete of the week recipient is selected by a panel each Friday and announced Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Sports Guys on CBS Sports Radio 590AM and 96.7FM.
View past winners here.