DENVER - University of Idaho sophomore track and field athlete Jeremy Klas has been named Verizon Wireless Western Athletic Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Week for the week of Jan. 11-17 after his record-breaking performance at the WSU Open on Saturday.

Klas, a second-year vaulter from Moscow, Idaho (Moscow HS), joined teammates Lucas Pope and Mike Carpenter in clearing a school-record height of 5.10m (16-8.75) in the men's pole vault at the WSU Open on Saturday. Klas edged his fellow Vandals for first place in the event based on attempts.

Steve Ott's previous Idaho record of 5.09m (16-8.25) in the men's indoor pole vault had stood for 25 years, but Pope, Carpenter and Klas cleared it in consecutive attempts on Saturday. It was the second-oldest entry in the Idaho men's indoor record book.

The award is the first weekly conference honor of Klas' career. He and his teammates will be in action  in Pullman again this weekend at the Cougar Indoor.