AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron track and field program will hold its 2013 Celebration Banquet Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in James A. Rhodes Arena. The special event is open to the public and lunch will be provided. Tickets are $10.
It was a banner year for the Zips, who sent 12 combined athletes to the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, captured their third straight Mid-American Conference Men’s Outdoor Team Title and crowned 13 individual conference champions.
Highlighting that group from the men’s team were freshman pole vaulter Shawn Barber, who was a two-time First Team All-American aftering finishing third at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and sophomore Alex McCune, who competed in the heptathlon and decathlon at the national meets; earning All-America Second Team honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a 10th-place finish.
A pair of dynamic throwers stole the spotlight on the women’s side as junior Brittany Funk and sophomore Alexis Cooks each claimed First Team All-American recognition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Funk placed sixth in the hammer throw and the school’s record holder Cooks did the same in the discus. Both athletes earned Second Team All-America honors in the weight throw at the Indoor meet.
Also advancing to the NCAA Championships in 2013 were Gabriel Genovesi, who earned All-America Second Team honors in the 800-meters, Brittany Cheese (long jump), Claire Lucas (pole vault) and Joe Wesley (pole vault).
Following the banquet, attendees are encouraged to stay on campus for the Zips Football Homecoming Game against Ohio, which kicks off at 2 p.m. All of Akron’s Track & Field MAC Champions will be recognized and receive their championship rings during the first quarter.
2013 MAC Individual Champions
Men Indoor
Alex McCune (Heptathlon)
Tyshaun Peoples (60m Hurdles, Long Jump)
Martel Durant (High Jump)
Shawn Barber (Pole Vault)
Gabriel Genovesi (800m)
Women Indoor
Brittany Cheese (Pentathlon)
Men Outdoor
Nick Banke (Discus)
Shawn Barber (Pole Vault)
Martel Durant (High Jump)
Alex McCune (Decathlon)
Alexis Cooks (Discus)
Women Outdoor
Alexis Cooks (Discus)
Shauniece Steele (400m)
FROM: http://www.gozips.com/sports/track/2013-14/releases/20131004xd8pgq
