BIRMINGHAM – Three Texas A&M track and field athletes each earned an award as SEC Freshman of the Year based on voting by the conference coaches. Donavan Brazier was selected Men's Freshman Runner of the Year, Jacob Wooten garnered Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year and Diamond Spaulding earned the Women's Freshman Runner of the Year.
One of just two freshmen to claim victory in a men's running event during the conference meet, Brazier broke a 26-year-old SEC meet record as he posted a 1:46.08 win in a closely contested 800m final. Runner-up to Brazier was Florida's Andres Arroyo in 1:46.20 while A&M teammate Hector Hernandez finished third in 1:46.32.
Earlier in the season Brazier clocked a career best of 1:45.93 that broke the American junior record that was set in 1982 and ranks fourth on the all-time World junior indoor list. That performance is also the fastest non-championship collegiate time in history and fastest collegiate time, overall, since 2001. Brazier is currently second in the world on the 2016 indoor list as he leads the U.S. and collegiate ranks.
Wooten shares the national leading mark by a freshman in the pole vault with a career best 17-11 clearance that won the Tyson Invitational. He ranks eighth among all collegians. Wooten's 17-4 ½ (5.30) clearance finished fourth in the SEC pole vault, matching the best result by any freshman among men's field events. Other frosh placing fourth included Auburn's Mark Rubalcaba (long jump) and Georgia's Denzel Comenetia (shot put).
Spaulding improved her time in the 200m throughout her freshman campaign, steadily dropping her career indoor best from a 23.69 in December to a 23.19 for fifth place in the SEC final. Spaulding was the only freshman to reach the conference 200m final and her time ranks third among freshmen in the nation this season. Among all collegians Spaulding ranks 12th.
In addition 10 Aggies received All-SEC honors based on their finish at the SEC Indoor Championships. First team All-SEC honors were claimed by Brazier and Audie Wyatt, who won the 800m and pole vault titles, respectively.
All-SEC second team accolades were awarded to athletes who placed second or third in the conference meet. A&M athletes receiving All-SEC second team recognition included Latario Collie (triple jump), Hector Hernandez (800m), Annie Kunz (pentathlon), Shamier Little (400m), Lindon Victor (heptathlon), Will Williams (long jump), Katie Willard (800m), and Chase Wolfle (pole vault).
Top freshman finishers in each event contested at the SEC Indoor meet were named to the All-Freshman team. A crew of six Aggies earned this honor, which includes Brazier (800m), Wooten (pole vault), Nathan Hite (heptathlon), Spaulding (200m), Jazmine Fray (800m), and Celine Markert (shot put).
2016 SEC Indoor Track and Field Awards
Men's Coach of the Year: Chris Bucknam, Arkansas
Men's Runner of the Year: Christian Coleman, Tennessee
Men's Field Athlete of the Year: Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Men's Freshman Runner of the Year: Donavan Brazier, Texas A&M
Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Jacob Wooten, Texas A&M
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Women's Coach of the Year: Lance Harter, Arkansas
Women's Runner of the Year: Mikiah Brisco, LSU
Women's Field Athlete of the Year: Keturah Orji, Georgia
Women's Freshman Runner of the Year: Diamond Spaulding, Texas A&M
Women's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Lexi Weeks, Arkansas
Women's Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Taylor Ellis-Watson, Arkansas/Cornelia Griesche, Mississippi State
One of just two freshmen to claim victory in a men's running event during the conference meet, Brazier broke a 26-year-old SEC meet record as he posted a 1:46.08 win in a closely contested 800m final. Runner-up to Brazier was Florida's Andres Arroyo in 1:46.20 while A&M teammate Hector Hernandez finished third in 1:46.32.
Earlier in the season Brazier clocked a career best of 1:45.93 that broke the American junior record that was set in 1982 and ranks fourth on the all-time World junior indoor list. That performance is also the fastest non-championship collegiate time in history and fastest collegiate time, overall, since 2001. Brazier is currently second in the world on the 2016 indoor list as he leads the U.S. and collegiate ranks.
Wooten shares the national leading mark by a freshman in the pole vault with a career best 17-11 clearance that won the Tyson Invitational. He ranks eighth among all collegians. Wooten's 17-4 ½ (5.30) clearance finished fourth in the SEC pole vault, matching the best result by any freshman among men's field events. Other frosh placing fourth included Auburn's Mark Rubalcaba (long jump) and Georgia's Denzel Comenetia (shot put).
Spaulding improved her time in the 200m throughout her freshman campaign, steadily dropping her career indoor best from a 23.69 in December to a 23.19 for fifth place in the SEC final. Spaulding was the only freshman to reach the conference 200m final and her time ranks third among freshmen in the nation this season. Among all collegians Spaulding ranks 12th.
In addition 10 Aggies received All-SEC honors based on their finish at the SEC Indoor Championships. First team All-SEC honors were claimed by Brazier and Audie Wyatt, who won the 800m and pole vault titles, respectively.
All-SEC second team accolades were awarded to athletes who placed second or third in the conference meet. A&M athletes receiving All-SEC second team recognition included Latario Collie (triple jump), Hector Hernandez (800m), Annie Kunz (pentathlon), Shamier Little (400m), Lindon Victor (heptathlon), Will Williams (long jump), Katie Willard (800m), and Chase Wolfle (pole vault).
Top freshman finishers in each event contested at the SEC Indoor meet were named to the All-Freshman team. A crew of six Aggies earned this honor, which includes Brazier (800m), Wooten (pole vault), Nathan Hite (heptathlon), Spaulding (200m), Jazmine Fray (800m), and Celine Markert (shot put).
2016 SEC Indoor Track and Field Awards
Men's Coach of the Year: Chris Bucknam, Arkansas
Men's Runner of the Year: Christian Coleman, Tennessee
Men's Field Athlete of the Year: Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Men's Freshman Runner of the Year: Donavan Brazier, Texas A&M
Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Jacob Wooten, Texas A&M
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Women's Coach of the Year: Lance Harter, Arkansas
Women's Runner of the Year: Mikiah Brisco, LSU
Women's Field Athlete of the Year: Keturah Orji, Georgia
Women's Freshman Runner of the Year: Diamond Spaulding, Texas A&M
Women's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Lexi Weeks, Arkansas
Women's Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Taylor Ellis-Watson, Arkansas/Cornelia Griesche, Mississippi State