California track & field's rookie weight throw sensation Pietro Camilli has been named the ACC Men's Freshman of the Week, as announced by the conference Tuesday. A Golden Bear has won the award in consecutive weeks, as pole vaulter Sam Novak received the award on Jan. 20.
 
Pietro recorded a top-two finish for the second meet in a row at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational this past weekend, surpassing his own program freshman record by over a foot with a mark of 19.98m (65-6.75) and rising to fourth in program history behind alumni Rowan Hamilton (22.36m/73-4, 2023), Jared Freeman (20.26m/66-5.75, 2025) and Ivar Moisander (20.03m/65-8, 2024). He is the ACC's top freshman in the weight throw this year and ranks seventh overall in the conference standings.
 
"This is very much a deserved award for Pietro this week," said assistant coach Tyler Burdorff, who heads the throws unit. "He shows up each day with exceptional focus and intent, and it's paying off in his performances. Looking forward to getting him into more intense competitions to see what he can do."
 
This marks the first year that multiple Cal men have won a conference freshman of the week award, as well as the first time that Cal has won multiple indoor freshman of the week awards (men or women). The Bears won a total of five indoor and outdoor ACC Freshman of the Week awards in 2025, four of those belonging to thrower Valentina Savva (one indoor, three outdoor).
 
ACC Track & Field Athletes of the Week – Jan. 27, 2026
Men's Track – George Couttie, Virginia Tech
Men's Field – Keyandre Davis, Virginia
Men's Freshman – Pietro Camilli, California
Women's Track – Kaelyaah Liburd, Florida State
Women's Field – Shantae Foreman, Clemson
Women's Freshman – Shantae Foreman, Clemson
 
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