Bayer grabs second Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week award this season

IU junior and distance runner Andrew Bayer has been named the Big Ten Conference’s Track and Field Athlete of the Week, according to an announcement from the conference.

It is the second time Bayer has received the award this season, the eighth of his career at IU and the fifth of his indoor career.

The junior from Leo, Ind., was given the award after an impressive outing at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame, where he placed second to Notre Dame senior Ryan Shay in the 3,000 meters. IU Coach Ron Helmer said he admired Bayer’s ability to perform away from Bloomington.

“Andy started the race with the goal of getting under the NCAA automatic standard, and that is what he went out and did.” Helmer said in a press release. “We had a very good meet at Notre Dame. I liked that we went on the road for the first time this season and weren’t afraid to just go out and compete.”

Bayer’s time of 7:50.23 in the event automatically qualified him for the NCAA Indoor Championship meet, which takes place during March 9 and 10 in Boise, Idaho.

His time at the Meyo Invitational is the sixth fastest in Division I this season. Bayer leads the Big Ten Conference in the event this season.

He is the third men’s athlete from IU to win the award this season, following senior Kind Butler and sophomore Robbie Nierman, who won the award Dec. 12 and Jan. 9, respectively.

Last season, Bayer was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year after being Big Ten Freshman of the Year two seasons ago. Bayer was also named a Capital One Academic All-American and an Academic All-Big Ten athlete after the 2010-11 season.

Bayer and his fellow Hoosiers will split into two squads for two meets this weekend. Hoosier Hills takes place at Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse at IU, and the SPIRE NCAA DI Invitational is in Geneva, Ohio.

 — Connor Killoren