FRISCO, Texas – McNeese's Morgan Talley was named the Southland Conference's Women's Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Field Events Performer for the indoor season, the league office announced this week.
Talley racked up 34 points individually as the champion of the 60-meter hurdles (8.49 seconds), the triple jump (12.35 meters, 40' 6-¼"), runner-up in the pentathlon (3,810 points), and bronze medalist in the long jump (5.76 meters, 18' 10-¾").
She becomes just the second Cowgirl in school history, third selection, to be named the league's Athlete of the Year (Sita Waru received the honor in 2000 and 2001), and is the second Cowgirl, third selection, to garner Field Events Performer of the Year (La'Shantena Rounds in 2012 and 2014).
In addition, Talley earned first team All-SLC honors in the 60-meter hurdles and triple jump, second team honors in the pentathlon, and was third team in the long jump.
Other All-Conference honors for the Cowgirls included Mariah Lee (2nd team in the weight throw), and the 4x400m relay team made up of Kayla Harrison, Kayla Warner, Boluwatife Akinwande and Jordan Carter who picked up third team honors.
Earning All-Conference for the Cowboys was Marcus Francis who picked up second team honors in the shot put.
Men's Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Field Events Performer – Isaiah Hudgens, UIW
Hudgens collected 26 points for the Cardinals with wins in the heptathlon (5,620 points) and pole vault (4.85 meters, 15' 11") and a bronze medal in the 60 meter hurdles (8.06 seconds).
Men's Outstanding Running Events Performer – Dennis Kipngeno, A&M-Corpus Christi
Kipengeno scored 22.5 points at the conference meet with wins in the 3,000 meters (8:21.23), 5,000 meters (14:23.40), and DMR (9:54.71).
Men's Freshman of the Year – Cameron Chin, Lamar
Chin was the third place finisher in the 400 meter dash (47.30 seconds) and anchored the bronze medal 4x400 meter relay (3:15.27).
Men's Newcomer of the Year – Alex Piquart, HCU
Piquart was the gold medalist in the mile run at the conference meet (4:23.27) and also kicked off the runner-up DMR (9:55.14).
Men's Coach of the Year – Derek Riedel, UIW
Dr. Riedel was named the Men's Coach of the Year after leading the Cardinals to their second consecutive Southland Indoor Track & Field Title and the largest margin of victory in 11 years.
Women's Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Field Events Performer – Morgan Talley, McNeese
Talley racked up 34 points individually as the champion of the 60 meter hurdles (8.49 seconds), the triple jump (12.35 meters, 40' 6-¼"), runner-up in the pentathlon (3,810 points), and bronze medalist in the long jump (5.76 meters, 18' 10-¾").
Women's Outstanding Running Events Performer – Jessica Rabius, HCU
Rabius was the conference champion in the mile run (4:50.59) and 3,000 meter run (9:54.37) and helped the Huskies take the silver medal in the DMR (11:47.08).
Women's Freshman of the Year – Sanaria Butler, Northwestern State
Butler took bronze in the triple jump and 400 meter run as well as fifth place in the long jump. She was also a key leg in the Lady Demons' silver medal 4x400 meter relay, which clinched the team title for NSU.
Women's Newcomer of the Year – Tshwanelo Maruping, New Orleans
Maruping was the bronze medalist in the mile run, picked up fifth place points in the 3,000 meter run and ran the third leg in the Privateers' bronze medal DMR.
Women's Coach of the Year – Mike Heimerman, Northwestern State
Heimerman was named the Women's Coach of the Year after he led the Lady Demons to their first conference indoor title with 111 points in the closest title race since 2006.
