CROSS COUNTRY

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BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo men's cross country squad presented its team awards for the 2003 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Four Points Sheraton on April 27.

Head coach Vicki Mitchell made the following presentations: Dan McKenna (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Steve Strelick (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Chris McClure (Trumansburg, NY/Trumansburg) received the Coaches' Award; and Andy Wigton (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Dan McKenna

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes himself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. McKenna raced in eight competitions, scoring a pair of top-10 finishes. He placed third at the UB Open in 27:22.5 for 8K and seventh at the season-opening Tommy Evans Invite in 20:48 for four miles. His best 8K time was 26:09.31 set at the Paul Short Invitational.

Steve Strelick

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in his performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Strelick raced eight times in 2003 with his best 8K mark coming in the open division of the Paul Short Invitational at 26:50.77.

Chris McClure

The Coaches' Award is selected by the head coach and is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. McClure appeared in three races with a top 8K mark of 27:46.88 in the Paul Short Invitational's open race.

Andy Wigton

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. Wigton was UB's top finisher in six of his eight races in 2003. He had a pair of first-place 8K finishes, winning the UB Open in 26:11.7 on October 11 and taking the William & Mary Tribe Open in 25:22.57 the following week. He set a season-best 8K mark of 25:01.28 at the Paul Short meet, running in the invitational division.

The Bulls completed their season with a 10th-place finish at the MAC Championships and followed with a 20th-place showing at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships.