Henry, Ofili Claim Great Lakes Region Awards
6/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- University of Michigan head women's track and field head coach James Henry and senior co-captain Tiffany Ofili(Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) were honored on Monday (June 8) by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Henry was named the Great Lakes Region Head Coach of the Year, while Ofili received Great Lakes Region Track Athlete of the Year honors.
With Henry at the helm, the Wolverines have maintained a consistent top-10 national ranking throughout the season and earned second place at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Working primarily with sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers, Henry's guidance helped three U-M athletes earn top-40 national rankings in the long jump, two athletes earn top-50 times in the 400-meter hurdles, two athletes earn top-20 rankings in the high jump and also helped Ofili become the top-ranked 100-meter hurdler in the nation. This is the second time this season, and the fifth time overall, that Henry has been honored by the USTFCCCA; he also earned Great Lakes Region Head Coach of the Year accolades during the indoor season and earned Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 2005, '06 and '07.
Ofili has won four national championships and nine Big Ten Conference crowns in her illustrious career in Maize and Blue. Last month at the Big Ten Championships, Ofili claimed top honors in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump and 4x100-meter relay. She then won the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Mideast Regional with a new regional-record time of 12.96 seconds. This season, Ofili also became U-M's first-ever Honda Sports Award for Track and Field nominee and was named the Outstanding Female Performer at the Drake Relays. This is the second consecutive Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year award for Ofili.
Ofili leads the Wolverines into this week's NCAA Championships as the two-time defending national champion in the 100-meter hurdles. The championships take place this Wednesday through Saturday (June 10-13) at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark.
Contact: Jeremy Reid (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
