University of Minnesota Athletics
Steve Plasencia Named Big Ten Coach of the Year
5/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
“I’m honored to receive this award, but it’s so much more of a reflection of this team than anything else,” said Plasencia. “I share this award with an outstanding staff of coaches and obviously a wonderful group of student-athletes.”
The Big Ten also recognized its event champions as All-Big Ten First Team honorees. Three Gophers won Big Ten individual event titles last weekend: Micah Hegerle (hammer), Ben Peterson (pole vault) and R.J. McGinnis (decathlon). Conference runners-up are tabbed All-Big Ten Second Team honorees. Gophers honored on this squad were Chris Rombough (5,000 and 10,000 meters), Raymond Blackledge (triple jump) and Trey Davis (shot put).
Senior Logan Stroman was the Minnesota recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. These student-athletes are now candidates for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as the Conference office will honor one male and one female student-athlete from each institution at the end of the school year.
The Big Ten announced five other outdoor season awards. Illinois’ Andrew Riley was named the Track Athlete of the Year and the Track Athlete of the Championships. Likewise, Indiana’s Derek Drouin was honored as the Field Athlete of the Year and the Field Event Athlete of the Championships. Penn State’s Casimire Loxsom was named the Freshman of the Year.
