Isaac Updike of Ketchikan is our Alaska Athlete of the Week after the steeplechaser recorded a standout performance at an international meet in Nice, France.
The 31-year-old clocked 8:17.47 to finish second at the Meeting Nakaia, trimming .27 of a second off his previous fastest time in the 3,000-meter event over barriers and a water jump, and this season has run the fastest and third-fastest times of his career.
He finished .31 behind former Olympic and two-time World Champion Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya.
Updike’s time is the 21st-fastest in the world this year and the fourth-fastest by an American.
Next up for him is the USA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., July 6-9.
The Alaska Athlete of the Week is selected by a panel each Monday.
Have a candidate in mind? Email us your nomination: info@alaskasportshall.org.
Also receiving votes: Jacob Houser.