Jordan Scott Recognized as Big 12 Outdoor Freshman Co-Performer of the Year

May 29, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

University of Kansas freshman Jordan Scott received the Big 12 Outdoor Freshman Co-Performer of the Year award, the Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday. At the 2007 Big 12 Outdoor Championships, Scott tied a Big 12 meet record by clearing 18-02.50 en route to winning his second-consecutive Big 12 pole vault title.

With the distinction, Scott becomes the first Kansas male student-athlete to receive the Big 12 Freshman Performer of the Year accolade in either the indoor or outdoor season and the first student-athlete in the Big 12 to win both awards in the same year since Texas’ Leonel Manzano in 2005. Scott was named the Big 12 Indoor Freshman of the Year after he cleared 17-05.50 to win the pole vault title at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in Ames, Iowa.

“I am honored to receive the award,” Scott said. “My performance this year has been nothing short of a dream come true and a testament to the hard work I have put in since September. I want to especially thank my coach, Tom Hays, my pole vaulting group and my family for all their support throughout the season. They have been instrumental in my development.”

Coach Tom Hays was equally thrilled with Scott’s award.

“Anytime you have an athlete like Jordan, it is exciting for the coaches and for the student-athletes,” Hays said. “We had high expectations for Jordan entering the year, and it is safe to say he has far exceeded those with his performance.”

Scott also won the 2007 Midwest Region pole vault title at last weekend’s NCAA Midwest Regionals in Des Moines, Iowa, when he cleared 17-05. Currently, Scott ranks second in the nation in the pole vault and will be heading to the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., June 6-9.

He shares the award with Baylor’s LeJerald Betters, who ran a nation-leading 45.33 in the 400-meter dash to win the conference title.

– KU –