Sept. 22, 2010

INDIANOPOLIS - Former Arizona track and cross country standout Robert Cheseret was named as the USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week Wednesday, according to a release from the organization Wednesday.

Cheseret, a multiple-time All-American as a Wildcat and two-time collegiate champion, won the USA 5k Championships in Providence, R.I., on Sunday - his first career U.S. road title.

Cheseret used a last kick down the stretch to overcome Ben Bruce and win the race in 14:00.00, two tenths of a second ahead of Bruce.

Cheseret took a brief hiatus from competitive running after he wrapped up his collegiate career and joined the U.S. Army.  He became a U.S. citizen in 2009 and is currently training in the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program as he prepares to take a shot at qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Cheseret was the 2005 NCAA Champion in the 10,000-meters and the 2004 5000-meter champion at Arizona.  He was a three-time Pac-10 Track Athlete of the Year - the first athlete to do so in the conference.  He holds the school record in the 5000-meters.

The USATF has been selecting athletes for its athlete of the week program for now years now to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport.