UW-Whitewater's Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) has been named the United States Track and Field and Cross County Coaches Association Division III National Athlete of the Week. 

Patzka reminded everybody why he should be considered a favorite in 2024 with an emphatic victory this past weekend at the Augustana (Ill.) Interregional Invitational. The UW-Whitewater senior made a big move over the final 2k to win by more than seven seconds in 23:52.7. In fact, Patzka trailed then-leader Isaiah Hammerand of Wartburg by ten seconds at that point.

This is the fourth time in the past two years that Patzka has been named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the cross country season. Patzka previously earned national weekly honors three times in 2023 – all in October (October 2, October 16 and October 30).