FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012 – MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Zach Lawson (zlawson@uark.edu)

 

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

Gillespie, Sutej win year-end SEC honors

 

            FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On the heels of their performances at the conference meet last weekend, Kristen Gillespie and Tina Sutej have been recognized by the Southeastern Conference with Friday’s release of the 2012 SEC Indoor Track and Field Awards. Gillespie was named the SEC Women’s Runner of the Year and, for the second season in a row, Sutej was voted the SEC Women’s Field Athlete of the Year.

            Gillespie was the 2012 SEC indoor champion in the mile and at 3,000 meters and added a runner-up finish with the distance-medley relay. She was the Cliff Harper Trophy recipient as the high-point scorer (22 points) on the women’s side. With her winning time of 4:34.49 in the mile, Gillespie set the Arkansas school and SEC Championships meet record. She was the only double individual champion at the conference meet.

            “We had the athlete of the meet in Kristen Gillespie,” head coach Lance Harter said. “She dropped basketball a little over a year ago and that’s been a positive for our sport. Right now, she’s devoted to running and is a phenomenal athlete. She crushed the school record in her third race of the weekend and is really coming on like gangbusters. We’re really excited about her upside.”

            Sutej was the 2012 SEC indoor champion in the pole vault and became the first woman in SEC history to win three titles in the event. She set the NCAA, SEC Championships meet and Nutter Field House facility records with her final clearance of 4.55m/14-11. She extended her national lead in the event and won her 12^th consecutive indoor meet, dating back to the start of the 2011 season.

            “With her NCAA record, Tina continues to put up impressive performances in the pole vault,” Harter said. “You don’t want to take her for granted, but she keeps performing at a very high level for our team. Both she and Tara are having great seasons and are really taking things to the next level as we get ready to head into the NCAA meet.”

            Gillespie is the second SEC Runner of the Year in program history and first since Veronica Campbell was recognized in 2004. Gillespie was also the SEC Runner of the Year for the 2011 cross country season. Sutej repeats as the SEC Field Athlete of the Year.

The Razorbacks’ indoor season comes to a close March 9-10 with the NCAA Indoor Championships at the Jacksons Track in Nampa, Idaho. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

 

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