courtesy of www.thesunconference.com
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The 2023 Sun Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Award Winners were announced on Monday afternoon.
Three awards (Most Outstanding Performer, Coach of the Year, Champion of Character) were voted on by the league's nine head coaches at the conclusion of the 2023 Sun Conference Championship. All other awards were announced during the final day of the 2023 Championship.
2023 Sun Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Award Winners
2023 Team Champion
Southeastern Fire
Team Runner-Up
Keiser Seahawks
Most Outstanding Performer
Saminu Abdul-Rasheed, Florida Memorial (Ghana, Africa)
Posting winning times at the Sun Conference Championship in both the 100- and 200-meter sprints, Abdul-Rasheed is currently ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in the 100-meter dash, and No. 2 in all collegiate divisions. The sophomore, from Ghana, is also ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in the 200-meter dash. Abdul-Rasheed runs the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays for the Lions.
High Point Scorer
Keishon Franklin, Southeastern (announced on Sunday)
Freshman of the Year
Seth Humphries, Thomas (announced on Sunday)
Coach of the Year
Nick Dodson, Southeastern
Dodson has led the Fire to four straight outdoor track and field Sun Conference championships.
Champion of Character
Devin Crews, Thomas
The first male track & field signee at Thomas University in 2019, Crews ended his four-year track & field career at the Sun Conference Championships when he anchored the TU men's 4x400 relay to a first-place finish with a National Qualifying and School Record time of 3:17.35. He also earned All-Conference honors as he led off the 4x800 relay (3rd place) on Friday with another school record performance. Crews has competed in the 200, 400, 600, 800, 4x100, 4x400, and the 4x800 events as well as cross country (freshman year) and holds school records in: 4x400 and 4x800 meter relay teams and number two all-time in the 400 meters.
From Port St. Joe, Fla. Crews will receive his Bachelor's degree on May 6 and will become the first graduate in school history of the Thomas University Track and Field Team. He has worked two part-time jobs, RA (resident assistant-3 years), and Active Soles Running Company (4 years) while at TU in addition to being an outstanding student-athlete for the NIGHT HAWKS. In addition to his numerous athletic and academic honors, Crews will receive the 2023 Thomas University President's Award - the highest honor presented to a student in recognition of his, or her, outstanding academic achievements and community contributions while pursuing a bachelor's degree at TU.
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now in its 33rd year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 22 NAIA sports: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Flag Football, Men's and Women's Golf, Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field, Women's Lacrosse, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's and Women's Swimming, Men's and Women's Tennis, Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field and Women's Volleyball. Learn more at thesunconference.com.
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