After once again improving on her own school record in the hammer throw, sophomore Bethany Richards (Shoreline, Wash.) has been named the Great West Conference Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week, announced Wednesday by the conference office.

Richards finished third at the Western Washington University Twilite Meet last Friday with a throw of 46.88 meters (153' 10"), over two meters further than the previous mark she set at the Duane Hartman Invitational April 28. The mark of 44.81 meters (147') she posted in Spokane was a 4.5-meter improvement from her throw of 40.31 meters (132' 3") at the Oregon Relays April 21.

In just her second year at Seattle University, Richards has already emerged as the team's top thrower. At last year's Great West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she competed in the shot put (12^th - 10.81 meters), the discus (13^th - 32.45 meters), and the hammer throw (14^th - 35.90 meters). At this year's GWC Indoor Track and Field Championships, she finished ninth in the shot put (11.08 meters) and 14^th in the weight throw (11.69 meters).

Richards is the second Seattle U student-athlete to earn the weekly conference honor during the outdoor season and the third Redhawk to pick up the recognition in 2012. Erik Barkhaus (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) was named GWC Track and Field Male Athlete of the Week Feb. 17, while Zach Stanfield (Adna, Wash.) picked up the honor March 23.

Just like in 2011, Richards will compete in three events during this weekend's GWC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Humble, Texas. She will start with the hammer throw Thursday, May 10, at 4:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. Pacific time). On Friday, May 11, Richards will compete in the shot put at 4:00 p.m. local time, followed by the discus throw on Saturday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. local time.

Live results for the 2012 Great West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be available through the track and field schedule page on GoSeattleU.com.