Diana Pickler named USATF Athlete of the Week...

Diana Pickler (left/photo by Paul Merca) has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the women's pentathlon over the weekend at the 2009 USA Indoor Combined Events Championships, held at Eddie Smith Field House on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

A 2008 Olympian, Pickler, formerly from Washington State University, brought home her second consecutive women's indoor pentathlon crown with 4,391 points. Pickler's competition began with a win in the 60-meter hurdles (8.24). She then had the second-best marks in the high jump (1.79 meters/5 feet 10.5 inches) and long jump (6.14m/20-1.75), the third fastest time in 800m (2:20.05) and threw 11.59m/38-0.25 in the shot put.

Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

NOTE: USA Track & Field contributed to this report.