Mason Finley Named Big 12 Track And Field's Outstanding Male Freshman Of The Year

May 19, 2010

IRVING, Texas – Kansas thrower Mason Finley was named Big 12 Track and Field’s Outstanding Male Freshman of the Year by the league coaches Wednesday. Finley was one of six people honored by the conference as it handed out is postseason awards.

Finley, who shared high point scorer accolades at the 2010 Big 12 Outdoor Championships, took two first place finishes in his first outdoor championships. He threw for a mark of 62-8.75 (19.12m) in the shot put and a 197-5 (60.18m) in the discus. He ranks third nationally in both events.

Finley’s top throw in the shot put this season (63-02.25 ft/19.26m) ranks fifth on the KU all-time chart, while his top discus mark of the season (197-5/60.18m) ranks fourth on the Jayhawk all-time chart.

Gary Pepin (Nebraska) was recognized as the men’s Coach of the Year and Pat Henry (Texas A&M) earned his fourth consecutive women’s Coach of the Year accolade.

Oklahoma State’s John Kosgei was named the men’s Outstanding Performer of the Year, marking the second-straight year the honor was awarded to the Cowboys (German Fernandez, 2009). Iowa State’s Lisa Koll captured her second-consecutive women’s Performer of the Year recognition, while Oklahoma freshman thrower Karen Shump earned Oustanding Female Freshman of the Year honors.

The 2010 outdoor season continues with NCAA regional competition, May 27-29. The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are scheduled for June 9-12 in Eugene, Ore.