LaFond becomes first Terp to win B1G weekly track & field award

There's no shame in admitting it if you've never heard the name Thea LaFond. Maryland's track and field team even flies under Testudo Times' rather expansive radar. However, when LaFond earned the Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, she became the first Maryland track and field athlete to claim that honor. And we always remember our firsts.

So, let me introduce you to Thea LaFond. She's a senior from Silver Spring, MD who, after graduating from Kennedy High School came to the University of Maryland as the state 3A Outdoor champion in the 100 hurdles, the high jump, the long jump, and the triple jump. She also held Indoor titles in the 55 hurdles and the high jump.

Since arriving at Maryland, LaFond has shown herself to be a versatile athlete who has peppered her name throughout the Terrapins' record book. She currently owns Maryland's fourth-best time in the 60 meter hurdles (8.53 seconds), the third-best high jump (6 feet 3/4 inch), third-best long jump (20 feet 2.5 inches), second-longest triple jump (43 feet 6.5 inches), and her score of 4,222 points is good for the Terps' second-best all-time score in the pentathlon.

In her award winning week, LaFond posted first-place finishes in the high jump (5'11.25") and the triple jump (42'5.25") at the Penn State Relays. Her high jump is currently tied for fourth best in the NCAA and her triple jump is the nation's best thus far.

Thea LaFond, the staff and readership of Testudo Times salutes you.