MACON, Ga. – Lipscomb’s Annika Backlund opened the outdoor season with a spectacular performance at the Rhodes Open in Memphis, which resulted in her being named this week’s Atlantic Sun Field Athlete of the Week.

Backlund, a freshman pole vaulter, earned the honor after landing a 3.66 meter leap. She not only broke a personal best mark for her but also won her first place in the pole vault competition at the Rhodes Open. 

Her previous record for the pole vault was 3.56 meters, which she recorded at the TSU Invite back in February. 

This is Backlund’s first career Outdoor A-Sun Field Athlete of the Week award.

Backlund’s next venture will be Thursday and Friday as she, along with the rest of the track and field squad, will take part in the Shamrock Invite in Myrtle Beach, S.C.