WINONA, Minn. – Winona State Track & Field sophomore Kaitlyn Long has earned yet another honor, as she has been named the USA Track & Field Minnesota Athlete of the Month for January.

Long, the reigning Division II national champion, currently holds the longest weight throw in all divisions this season, topping a pair of Division I seniors. Long's nation-leading toss of 22.25 meters (73') set at the Saint Mary's Early Birdinal last month is the farthest throw in Division II history and is more than a foot farther than this season's Division I leaders and tops the current Division II charts by nearly seven feet.

Long joins male winner Luke Johnson of the University of Minnesota to be named athletes of the month.

Long and the Warriors are back in action Friday at The Showcase at St. Thomas in St. Paul.