Anselm LeBourne was peeved earlier this week. After setting three M55 world records in a month — including an 800 all-time best outdoors or indoors — he asked publicly: What does it take to be named USATF Athlete of the Week? The answer came today: Just ask. USATF showcases Anselm on its homepage. On Saturday, after learning of his incredible 2:01.60 in Boston, I shot a note to USATF public affairs chief Jill Geer nominating Anselm for AOW. She was happy to get the details (since nobody else had informed her, apparently). And via email, I suggested to Jill that USATF give people a way of nominating themselves or others for AOW. She delivered! At the bottom of the news release is this: “To nominate an athlete for Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to Communications@usatf.org.”

Here’s Anselm’s Facebook photo (not mine, BTW) on USATF homepage.

On Facebook today, Anselm posted: “What can I say? Just happy that the biggest Track Association in the USA recognized the significant achievement.”

Here’s the USATF release:

INDIANAPOLIS — Masters athlete Anselm LeBourne has been named USATF Athlete of the Week following his outstanding performance on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston.

LeBourne (Maplewood, New Jersey) set a new Masters age-group world record indoors in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:01.60. His M55 record-breaking time is also faster than the listed outdoor world record of 2:03.7.

“I was really overwhelmed,” LeBourne said. “I knew as soon as I crossed the finish line that I had broken the record.”

LeBourne has broken three world records in 2015 so far, including the M55 mile (4:37.05) and the M55 1500m (4:19.80). However, both records are still pending ratification.

“Of all the records I have broken so far, this one (800m) was the most significant to me. The goal for February is to break them all again.”

Other standout performances this week included:

• Matt Centrowitz (Annapolis, Maryland) ran the opening leg of Team USA’s world record-setting men’s distance medley relay on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Armory Track Invite in New York City. Centrowitz ran a 2:49.47 split, and his 1200-meter-split was the fastest of any competitor on the first leg, leading by over three seconds.
• Shannon Rowbury (San Francisco, California) won the Mellow Mile at the Camel City Elite Races on Saturday, Jan. 31 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Her time of 4:22.66 is a new facility record and a world-leading time. It also makes her the fifth-fastest women’s indoor miler in history.
• Ryan Crouser (Boring, Oregon), of the University of Texas, threw a world-leading 20.95m/68-9 in the men’s shot put on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the UW Invitational in Seattle, Washington. The defending NCAA champion also set a meet record.
• Najee Glass (Woodbridge, New Jersey) ran the fastest 400m time in the world this year with a personal best 45.34, which moved him to fourth all-time in Florida history behind Olympic medalists Kerron Clement and Tony McQuay, and World 4×4 gold medalist Arman Hall.

Now in its 14th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2015 Winners: January 15, Chris Derrick; January 21, Demi Payne; January 28, Casimir Loxsom; February 4, Anselm LeBourne.

Bottom line: Don’t be shy.

Don’t wait for me or a meet director to alert USATF to wonderful marks. Do it yourself!