Gall Named Big Ten Outdoor Athlete of the Year
5/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Senior co-captain Geena Gall (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) of the No. 10-ranked University of Michigan women's track and field team earned both Big Ten Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and Track Athlete of the Championships on Wednesday (May 20) by the Big Ten Conference office.
Gall, the defending NCAA champion in the 800-meter run, earned Big Ten titles in both the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run last Sunday (May 17) at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in Columbus, Ohio. The 800-meter crown was the second of Gall's career -- she also won the event as a freshman in 2006-- and the 1,500-meter victory was her first in the event. She currently holds the fourth-fastest time in the nation this season at 800 meters and the seventh-best time at 1,500 meters, the only Big Ten athlete ranked in the top 10 in both events.
Gall is the third Wolverine this season to earn Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors. During the indoor season, seniors Tiffany Ofili(Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) and Bettie Wade(Northville, Mich./Farmington) were named Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year and Big Ten Field Athlete of the Year, respectively. Wade also earned Big Ten Field Athlete of the Championships during the indoor season.
In addition to individual honors, the Big Ten also announced all-conference teams for the 2009 outdoor season. Junior Alisha Cole(Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac), Ofili, senior Casey Taylor(Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic), sophomore Emily Pendleton(Lindsay, Ohio/Woodmore) and senior/junior Shana Vinson(Detroit, Mich./Mumford) join Gall on the All-Big Ten first team. Wade was named to the All-Big Ten second team.
The Big Ten also named its Sportsmanship Award honorees; Taylor represents U-M on the list. The award is given to an individual from each member squad that has distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Sportsmanship award winners must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
The Wolverines will return to competition next Friday and Saturday (May 29-30) when they compete in the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships in Louisville, Ky. The meet will begin each day at 11 a.m. at Cardinal Park.
Contact: Jeremy Reid (734) 763-4423
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