Eubanks, Hoppel named USTFCCCA Midwest Region Track Athletes of the Year
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released the 2019 NCAA Division I Regional awards on Friday, and two Kansas track athletes picked up Midwest Region honors. Senior Marleena Eubanks was named the Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year and junior Bryce Hoppel was named Midwest Region Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. This the first time for each of the athletes to win a Midwest Region award.
Some @USTFCCCA awards rolling in for #KUtrack! ??????
Marleena Eubanks – Midwest Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
Bryce Hoppel – Midwest Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
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— Kansas Track & Field (@KUTrack) March 1, 2019
Eubanks, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, picked up the regional honor by putting together an impressive season thus far. Most recently, Eubanks broke the Kansas school record and Big 12 Indoor Championship meet record in the 800-meter run on her way to a conference title in the event, clocking in at 2:03.99. The time, which converts down to 2:03.63 because of altitude, ranks No. 5 in the NCAA this season and qualified her for the NCAA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, March 8-9. Eubanks not only broke the school record in the 800 meters this season, but she was also an integral part of the women’s distance medley relay that broke the school record at the Alex Wilson Invitational (Feb. 16), running the 800-meter leg and helping the team to a combined time of 10:58.31. The senior also helped the KU women’s 4×400-meter relay team to a second-place finish at the Big 12 Championship with a season-best time of 3:34.49.
“We are really excited about Marleena’s season so far,” Kansas head coach Stanley Redwine said. “She has really worked hard and that hard work is paying off. We are excited for what she brings to the team, and because of her I think the team is much better. She brings a different attitude to the team which is something I think we need.”
Hoppel, a product of Midland, Texas, was named Midwest Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year after winning the Big 12 800-meter run with a school record-breaking time of 1:46.84. His altitude-converted time of 1:46.53 has him as the No. 3 seed in the event heading into the NCAA Championships next week. Along with the conference crown in the 800 meters, Hoppel helped the men’s distance medley relay team to a Big 12 title as well, moving the team from third place to first during his 800-meter leg, before handing off to teammate Dylan Hodgson, who held the lead through the entirety of the final leg to seal the victory for the Jayhawks. Hoppel was also a member of the men’s 4×400-meter relay team that placed third at the conference meet with a season-best time of 3:10.23.
“What a season Bryce is having,” Redwine said. “He is now a three-time Big 12 Champion and the guy is just a hard worker and deserves every award that comes his way. More importantly, he is a fierce competitor and his performance at the Big 12 Championships really showed that.”
Since the inception of the current regional awards format in 2006, the Kansas women’s team has taken home a total of 13 athlete and coaches awards, and the men’s team has won eight athlete and coaches awards.
KANSAS REGIONAL ATHLETES AWARDS HISTORY
2018 Midwest Region Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Bryce Hoppel
2018 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Marleena Eubanks
2015 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year – Michael Stigler
2014 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year – Michael Stigler
2014 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Diamond Dixon
2013 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year – Andrea Geubelle
2013 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year – Andrea Geubelle
2012 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year – Diamond Dixon
2012 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Diamond Dixon
2011 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Diamond Dixon
2010 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year – Mason Finley
2008 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Nickesha Anderson
2006 Midwest Region Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year – Sheldon Battle
KANSAS REGIONAL COACHES AWARDS HISTORY
2017 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Coach of the Year – Stanley Redwine
2017 Midwest Regional Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Andy Kokhanovsky
2017 Midwest Region Men’s Indoor Coach of the Year – Stanley Redwine
2017 Midwest Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Tom Hays
2013 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year – Stanley Redwine
2013 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
2013 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
2012 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year – Stanley Redwine
2012 Midwest Region Women’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
2012 Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
KANSAS NATIONAL ATHLETES AWARDS HISTORY
2013 Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year – Andrea Geubelle
2012 Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year – Diamond Dixon
KANSAS NATIONAL COACHES AWARDS HISTORY
2013 Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year – Stanley Redwine
2013 Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
2012 Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year – Wayne Pate
Eubanks, Hoppel and the rest of the Kansas track & field team that qualified for the NCAA Championships are gearing up to head to the Birmingham CrossPlex to go against the nation’s top talent, March 8-9. ESPN3 will stream the championships via WatchESPN.com, live starting at 5:30 p.m. CST on Friday, March 8 and starting at 4 p.m. CST on Saturday, March 9. A re-air of the championship will take place starting at 9 p.m. CDT on Sunday, March 10 on ESPN2 and again Monday, March 11 starting at 9 p.m. CDT on ESPNU.
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