Culver-Stockton College sophomore Delaney Straus has been named WinWon Women's Heart of America Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week for her performance in the heptathlon at the 114^th Drake Relays April 24-25 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Straus, of Philadelphia, Mo. (Marion County HS), placed eighth overall in an event that featured 18 competitors from colleges and universities of all levels. She accumulated a school record 4,358 total points in the seven events, which ranks her second in the Heart and 12^th in the NAIA. Additionally, Straus won the 800-meter run to cap her performance in an NAIA automatic qualifying time 2:14.48 to punch her ticket for the 800 at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May. That time broke her own school record by nearly three seconds.

The 800 wasn't the only event Straus set a personal best during the event. She set personal bests in four other events to bring her total to five personal bests out of the seven events in the competition. In addition to the 800, Straus set a lifetime best in the 100-meter hurdles (16.37 seconds), the high jump (5 feet, 1 inch), the 200-meter dash (26.37 seconds), and the javelin throw (94 feet, 7 inches). This marks the second time this season, Straus has been recognized as the conference track athlete of the week. She was also honored on April 1.

Straus and the rest of the Culver-Stockton track and field team are slated to participate in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships this Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan.