records in the space of a week last month.

Bean, in his first year at the university after graduating with an Associates Degree from Long Beach City College in California, is performing well in his first indoor season with Arkansas.

At the Southern Illinois Invitational Meet on January 17, he leapt 24 feet 13 inches to set a new university mark. And in the 55 metre sprint at the same event the Bermudian placed second in the final in 6.34 seconds which was also a new university record. He had earlier recorded 6.42 in the semi-finals.

As a result of his performances, Bean, 21, was chosen the Sun Belt Conference Athlete of the Week.

The following weekend Bean was again in record breaking form, smashing his week-old long jump mark with a leap of 24-31 to win the Arkansas State Invitational in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The jump also qualified Bean for this year's Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

His best long jump effort was the 24 feet 113 inches he recordedat the CAC championships in Puerto Rico last summer.

Bean was also fourth in the 200 metres in 22.8 seconds on what he called a small track with tight curves.

"This is the first time he's had an indoor season. The season is still young but he's off to a good start,'' said national coach Gerry Swan.

The sprints remain Bean's main events, particularly the 100 metres in which he holds the Bermuda record of 10.27. He has had a number of creditable performances in this event over the last couple of years including times of 10.45 and a 10.50. The qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games is 10.55.

Bean competed in both the 1996 Olympics and the 1997 World Athletics Championships.