PEORIA, Ill. -- Junior runner Katie Nowak (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) has been named the Bradley Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week announced Wednesday, after winning the 1,000-meter run at last week's Panther Open.

Nowak turned in a time of 2:53.11 to finish nine seconds ahead of Northern Iowa's Caedryn Schrunk and claim the 1,000-meter individual title at the Panther Open in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Saturday. Nowak has won both races she has competed in so far this season, also claiming the individual title in the mile at the Iowa State Holiday Preview in December. A mechanical engineering major, Nowak owns a 3.97 cumulative grade point average.

Each week, a Bradley student-athlete is selected as the Country Financial Scholar-Athlete of the Week. The individual chosen must be at least a sophomore in class standing and boast a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, while displaying a level of athletic excellence.

Nowak and the Bradley track and field team return to action Friday and Saturday at the Iowa State Open in Ames, Iowa.