KU Track & Field Sees Three Collect Regional Awards

June 4, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore sprinter Diamond Dixon along with head coach Stanley Redwine and assistant coach Wayne Pate took home Midwest Region awards Monday, as was announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Dixon was named the region’s female track athlete of the year, Redwine claimed the Midwest’s women’s head coach of the year, while Pate was the women’s assistant coach of the year in the region.

Undefeated in the 400 meters against collegians this season, Dixon ranks second on the NCAA descending order list with a time of 51.09, a school record. The sophomore won the Big 12 title in the 400 meters and is part of the 4×400 relay team that ranks first (3:28.10) in the nation. Dixon, who hails from Houston, Texas, was recently added to the Bowerman Award Watch List, which puts her among the top-10 athletes in the nation this year. The award is her third All-Region honor, as she was named the Midwest Region freshman track athlete of the year following the 2011 outdoor season and the female track athlete of the year after the 2012 indoor season. She also claimed the national women’s track athlete of the year after the 2012 indoor season.

Redwine, who is in his 12th season as the Jayhawks’ head coach, led the Jayhawks to a runner-up finish at the Big 12 Championships with 129½ points and were led by seven event champions. Redwine coaches the sophomore speedster Dixon among others in the sprints and middle distance groups. Kansas had 12 women athletes advance to NCAA Final Rounds in 12 events, which is sixth-most of all teams competing. Kansas enters Des Moines with the leading 4×400 relay and a No. 2 national team ranking. The regional honor is Redwine’s first during his tenure at Kansas.

Pate, who was named the national assistant coach of the year following the recent indoor season, saw his athletes score 35 of Kansas’ points at the Big 12 Championships as part of their runner-up showing. Pate, who is in his fifth year in Lawrence, coaches juniors Andrea Geubelle, who is the collegiate leader in the triple jump, and Francine Simpson who is in the national top three in the long jump. Both will compete this weekend in their respective events at the NCAA Championships.

Next up for the Jayhawks will be the NCAA Outdoor Championships held in Des Moines, Iowa June 6-9. The No. 2-ranked women’s squad has 12 female athletes that will compete in 12 events at nationals, highlighted by the No. 1-ranked women’s 4×400-meter relay team. Stay logged onto kuathletics.com and the meet central page throughout the week for live updates and results of the Jayhawks’ performances. Don’t forget to follow on twitter at KU_Track.