NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama thrower Rickssen Opont was selected the Sun Belt Conference Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday.

It's the first time the graduate transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) College has been recognized since beginning competition with the Jaguars last month.

The native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, broke his own school record in the shot put Sunday at the Jaguar Invitational, posting a 17.35m mark that not only is the best in the Sun Belt this winter but also set a new Haitian indoor national record in the event.  In addition to placing third in the shot, he added a top-10 finish in the weight throw at the meet as well.

Opont and the Jags are off until Friday, Feb. 14, when action gets underway at the Samford Invitaional.

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