RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- Ouachita sophomore Rocco Patrick was named the Great American Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. 

The thrower continues to build momentum in his first collegiate outdoor season by earning the recognition after a standout performance at the Tigers' lone home meet. Patrick earned the GAC weekly honor following a dominant showing at the Ouachita Invitational last weekend at the Hickingbotham Family Track & Field. The Prescott native powered his way to two event victories and went for the trifecta with another top-five finish to highlight a strong day for the men's squad.

Patrick launched a program-record setting distance of 53.54 meters (175 feet, 8 inches) on Friday to win the hammer throw by a commanding margin. His furthest hammer throw was more than 30 feet over the nearest competitor from another school, while it's also the furthest hammer throw from any competitor in the league this season. Patrick added another victory in the discus, ultimately capturing the event with a throw of 47.16 meters (154 feet, 9 inches). He capped his outing with a fifth-place finish in the shot put, posting a throw of 13.99 meters (45 feet, 10.75 inches) to lead the way for the Tigers across three events.

Ouachita Track and Field head coach Steve Guymon credited Patrick's work ethic and determination to describe the rapid improvement he has shown after overcoming a shoulder injury that required surgery in his freshman season.

"Rocco is an extremely dedicated and hard worker," Guymon said. "Since his surgery, which hasn't been that long ago, he has worked on his quickness in the ring and has become a much better thrower. He is an excellent thrower in the shot and the discus, but for right now, I'd say the hammer is his best event. I'm very proud of him and what he's accomplished so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future."

Patrick's latest performance came just one week after he delivered a milestone at the Harding Invitational, when he first broke Ouachita's school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 52.77 meters (173 feet, 1 inch). He also finished second in the discus with a personal-best distance of 49.24 meters (161 feet, 6 inches), continuing to emerge as one of the league-leading throwers in the ring.

Ouachita competes in the Ole Miss Classic this weekend.