The 2014 NCAA steeplechase champ seems to be peaking at the perfect time after crushing the course record for the individual title at the Big Ten Championships on Sunday. O’Connor ran a career-best time of 19:26 to lead the Spartans to back-to-back Big Ten titles.

Michigan State’s 26-point spread was the third-lowest total in Big Ten history and it’s fourth conference championship in the last five years. After finishing runner-up to teammate Rachele Schulist at Wisco and Griak, it is now time for O’Connor to shine.

"Leah's really come a long way since her freshman year and that's just a credit to how hard she's worked," said Coach Walt Drenth. "Coming into today, we thought she and Rachele [Schulist] both had a good chance to finish at or near the top. They were both outstanding leading the way for us today."



Other FloRunner nominees:

Lincoln's pick: Kate Avery
Avery made her 2014 debut at the MAAC Champs on Friday, and the Iona junior did not disappoint. Running entirely by herself, Avery set the course on fire to the tune of a 19:15 6k, a ridiculous 5:10 per mile. Although Avery hasn’t faced serious competition thus far, her blazing time suggests that she is ready to contend for an NCAA title.

Gordon's pick: Chris Kimbrough
Chris Kimbrough is my FloRunner of the Week because she just broke the Beer Mile WR running 6:28! I'm required to write 2 more sentences talking about my FloRunner of the Week but I forgot what I was going to say cause I've had a few too many beerszsrsfhtg344tfdnlks

Meg's pick: Des Linden 
Des Linden is my FloRunner after placing 5th in her first NYC Marathon. While runners kept dropping from the lead pack like flies, Des kept contact for 19 miles before falling back. Still, she finished 5th place with a time of 2:28:11. After this performance, she's a favorite for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team.

Joe’s pick: Meb Keflezighi 
Does anything Meb does surprise you anymore? Well it shouldn’t. When healthy, the man is the most consistent American marathoner in history. The 39-year-old proved it once again in his ninth New York City Marathon, where he was the top U.S. finisher, crossing fourth in 2:13:18.

James' pick: Matthew Maton
My FloRunner of the week is Matthew Maton. Matt won the Oregon state meet in dominating fashion, breaking Olympic silver-medalist Galen Rupp's Oregon state record!