May 15, 2010

Final Results

Yankton, S.D. - Utah Valley's men's and women's track & field teams claimed both titles at the Great West Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships Saturday in Yankton, S.D. It marked the second consecutive year that UVU has won both conference crowns. Host South Dakota finished in second place, while Houston Baptist finished third on both the men's and women's side.

UVU's Trac Norris was named the GWC Male Newcomer and Athlete of Year after winning the 800, 1,500 and 3,000m steeplechase. The Wolverines' Mary Nothum was named the Female Athlete of the Year after winning the 5,000, 10,000 and 3,000m steeplechase. South Dakota's Kate Wellensiek was named Female Newcomer of the Year and Utah Valley coach Scott Houle received both men's and women's coach of the year accolades.

"This weekend was a blast," Houle said. "We knew we had a shot coming in to win both titles and our kids really stepped up and performed to the best of their abilities. Everyone knew that they had to put aside individual times and marks and concentrate on scoring team points. As a team our kids executed everything that we wanted them to and we were fortunate enough to come out on top."

On the men's side UVU was also led by sprinter Allah Laryea-Akrong who won both the 100 and 200-meter dashes with times of 10.61 and 20.99, respectively.

UVU also won the men's 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:15.02 and Matt Williams won the men's pole vault with a 14'-09" , while Cody Olsen won the Javelin with a 61.08m (200'-05") throw.

Seattle's Tom Mezzera won the 400m with a time of 47.52, while teammate Daniel Sullivan won the 400m hurdles in 53.40. NJIT's Christian Baumbach won the 5,000m with a 15:03.13,

South Dakota's Jordan Smith won the 110 hurdles in 14.77, Cody Linder claimed the triple jump with a leap of 14.49m, and the Coyote's 4x100m relay team took the title with a 40.82.

On the women's side, UVU's Chelsea Baker won the 400-meter dash and set a new school record in the process with a time of 55.16, and Rosina Amenebede won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.16. Shantay Dodge won the triple jump with a 38'-03.50".

Utah Valley also won the women's 4x400-meter relay with a 3:45.59, setting a new school record.

Today's results also included a triple-win for Houston Baptist's Cindee Wright who won the 100m in a time of 11.72, the 200m with a 24.22 and anchored the 4x100m relay which posted a time of 45.84.

South Dakota's Emma Erickson won the 800m with a time of 2:13.69, while teammates Ramsey Fitzsimmons won the 1,500 with a 4:31.85, and Alexa Duling claimed the 400 hurdles' title with a time of 1:01.16.

Final Team Standings

Men's Team Scores: 1) Utah Valley - 261.50; 2) South Dakota - 161.50;  3) Houston Baptist - 122;  4) Seattle - 67;  5) North Dakota - 58;  6) NJIT - 52;  7) Texas- Pan American - 48;  8) Chicago State - 47

Women's Team Scores: 1) UVU - 301;  2) USD - 259;  3) HBU - 81;  4) UND - 79;  5) UTPA - 60;  6) SU - 28;  7) CSU - 5;  8) NJIT - 3

Men's Coach of the Year: Scott Houle - Utah Valley

Male Athlete of the Year: Trac Norris - Utah Valley

Male Newcomer of the Year: Trac Norris - Utah Valley

Women's Coach of the Year: Scott Houle - Utah Valley

Female Athlete of the Year: Mary Nothum - Utah Valley

Female Newcomer of the Year: Kate Wellensiek - South Dakota