A freshman on the Missouri State track and field team, Leander Ernest, has been named this week's Missouri Valley Conference Track Athlete of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Ernest had an outstanding debut as a Bear at the Arkansas Invitational last Friday in MSU’s first meet of the season. Ernest won her heat and placed fifth overall in the 400-meter dash in a time of 55.83. Her time currently ranks no. 1 on this season’s Valley best list. Eleven teams were scheduled in the meet including Baylor, Texas A&M, Kansas St., Oklahoma and Missouri Southern.

The Bears will back on the indoor track Friday-Saturday, Jan. 19-20, in Fayetteville, Ark., to compete in the Razorback Invitational.