Marshall, Ownbey Named Track & Field MVPs
6/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
June 25, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Junior thrower Frednisha Marshall and freshman distance runner Mitch Ownbey have been named 2009 SFA Track and Field team MVPs head coach Phil Olson announced Friday morning. The duo combined to record seven All-Southland Conference finishes, four SLC individual titles and an indoor All-America honor. Along the way the set numerous school and conference records, and claimed several SLC Athlete of the Week honors.
Marshall posted one of the most dominant seasons in school and conference history in 2009. A three-time SLC athlete of the week, Marshall was setting a new school record in the weight throw on almost a weekly basis. Marshall dominated the SLC Indoor Championships winning the weight throw, by setting a new conference mark, and finishing second in the shot put.
"Frednisha recorded the best season of her career this year," said Olson. "For her it comes down to her health. Each of the past two years she has battled injuries, but we were all able to see what she is capable of when she is healthy. She was key in both of our SLC team titles scoring 18 points during the indoor season, and 20 during outdoors."
"In only three years she has almost reached the pinnacle of collegiate athletics, winning a national title. To go compete and then get on the award's stand with a third-place finish and earn All-America honors is an incredible accomplishment."
The 2009 SLC Outstanding Indoor Field Athlete capped off the indoor season by earning All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She recorded a school-record toss of 69-4.25 to finish third overall.
Marshall didn't slow down during the outdoor season as she won both the hammer throw and shot put titles at the conference outdoor meet, while guiding the Ladyjacks to a sweep of the conference indoor and outdoor team titles. Marshall finished off the year by advancing to the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships in both the hammer and shot.
Ownbey provided SFA fans with one of the most thrilling finishes at the 2009 SLC Outdoor Championships. A 2009 three-time All-SLC athlete, Ownbey led for a majority of the men's 10,000 meters over defending conference champion Henry Ropp. With approximately 275 meters remaining, Ropp surged ahead of the 'Jacks' rookie only to see Ownbey out-kick the defending champion in the final 100 meters of the race.
Ownbey returned to the track less than 48 hours later to compete in the men's 5,000 meters. He gave another strong performance, once again showing great closing speed, to finish second overall. Ownbey, who finished second in the 5,000 meters at the conference indoor meet, finished off the season at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.
"We knew that we got a very talented athlete when we signed Mitch," said Olson. "Similar to Frednisha, the big thing with Mitch is his health. He worked hard this year, stayed injury and illness free and really showed us what he is capable. He is a big-time athlete at the conference and regional level, and we look for him to be on the national level at some point as well."
-SFA-
