Image
Anonymous
| Posted: 11 Oct 2011 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Track & FIeld Instates New Track Athlete of the Year Award
main image
PROVO, Utah--Miles Batty, Leif Arrhenius and Lacey Cramer Bleazard were named the 2011 Track Athletes of the Year last Friday night, as the BYU Track and Field teams held a ceremony to honor the recipients of the newly instated Curtis Pugsley Track Athlete of the Year award.
Along with the 2011 recipients, the award winners were also determined for the last 21 years and they were honored at the ceremony, as well.
“It’s been a long process that we’ve spent nine months trying to put together,” men’s head track coach Mark Robison said. “ It’s been a long process and a lot of work, but a wonderful thing and I’m really pleased with the way it turned out.”
An outstanding legecy of track and field athletes, dating back to 1991, gathered in the West Annex of the Smith Fieldhouse to watch a video presentation about the athletes who were honored, and Curtis Pugsley was also in attendance and helped inaugurate the award.
“I want this award to represent all of us,” Pugsley said. “And as we go through life and we have to face a lot of struggles and trials and problems, it’s about using that same drive that we had in competition to get through life and help those around us.”
Pugsley participated in track and field at BYU from 2000-2004 and was a multiple All-American and conference champion in the decathlon.
The yearly recipient is determined by a scoring system that combines points scored at indoor and outdoor conference, points awarded for All-American and national champion status, school records and spot on the top ten leader board.
“It was a wonderful idea and it really brought together a lot of people that understood what the tradition here at BYU is in track and field,” women’s head track coach Patrick Shane said. “It’s a great tradition that we’ve started and I’m looking forward to keeping it alive every year with a new presentation.”
Below is a list of all others who received the award that night and the years for which they won.
“It’s been a long process that we’ve spent nine months trying to put together,” men’s head track coach Mark Robison said. “ It’s been a long process and a lot of work, but a wonderful thing and I’m really pleased with the way it turned out.”
An outstanding legecy of track and field athletes, dating back to 1991, gathered in the West Annex of the Smith Fieldhouse to watch a video presentation about the athletes who were honored, and Curtis Pugsley was also in attendance and helped inaugurate the award.
“I want this award to represent all of us,” Pugsley said. “And as we go through life and we have to face a lot of struggles and trials and problems, it’s about using that same drive that we had in competition to get through life and help those around us.”
Pugsley participated in track and field at BYU from 2000-2004 and was a multiple All-American and conference champion in the decathlon.
The yearly recipient is determined by a scoring system that combines points scored at indoor and outdoor conference, points awarded for All-American and national champion status, school records and spot on the top ten leader board.
“It was a wonderful idea and it really brought together a lot of people that understood what the tradition here at BYU is in track and field,” women’s head track coach Patrick Shane said. “It’s a great tradition that we’ve started and I’m looking forward to keeping it alive every year with a new presentation.”
Below is a list of all others who received the award that night and the years for which they won.
| Year | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Frank Fredericks | Anna Mosdell |
| 1992 | Jason Pyrah | Shu-Hwa Wang |
| Anu Kaljurand | ||
| 1993 | Oluyemi Kayode | Anu Kaljurand |
| 1994 | Mark Johansen | Tonya Todd |
| 1995 | Mark Johansen | Tiffany Lott |
| 1996 | Craig Lawson | Amy Christiansen |
| 1997 | Adam Callahan | Tiffany Lott |
| 1998 | Leonard Myles-Mills | Amy Christiansen Palmer |
| 1999 | Leonard Myles-Mills | Sharolyn Shields |
| 2000 | Jim Roberts | Kirsten Bolm |
| 2001 | Kenneth Andam | Elizabeth Jackson |
| Jim Roberts | ||
| 2002 | Jeff Hansen | Michaela Mannova |
| 2003 | Trent Powell | Kassi Andersen |
| 2004 | Nathan Robison | Michaela Mannova |
| 2005 | Rodrigo Mendes | Amy Menlove |
| Robison Pratt | ||
| 2006 | Josh McAdams | Amy Fowler |
| Robison Pratt | ||
| 2007 | Niklas Arrhenius | Whitney McDonald |
| 2008 | Kyle Perry | Angela Wagner |
| 2009 | Kyle Perry | Amy Menlove |
| 2010 | Leif Arrhenius | Mindy Neely McClurkin |
| 2011 | Leif Arrhenius | Lacey Cramer Bleazard |
| Miles Batty |
Recent Stories
Image
USTFCCCA recognizes 27 Cougars with All-Academic Honors
The USTFCCCA recognized 27 BYU men's track and field athletes with All-Academic honors on July 13.
Image
Rooks captures USATF steeplechase title with remarkable comeback
BYU distance runner Kenneth Rooks delivered a comeback for the ages to claim the U.S. steeplechase title despite an…
