CROSS COUNTRY

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BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo men's cross country squad presented its team awards for the 2004 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Millennium Hotel on May 3.

Head coach Vicki Mitchell made the following presentations: Chuck Laderer (Pendleton, NY/Starpoint) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Ben Cady (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Steve Strelick (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena) received the Coaches' Award; and Dan McKenna (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) was named Most Outstanding.

Chuck Laderer

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. Laderer raced in four meets. His top performance was at Roberts Wesleyan's Harry F. Anderson Invitational where he finished fifth in 26:42.2 for the 8K distance.

Ben Cady

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. Cady raced in seven events with his highest finish a seventh-place showing at the UB Open as he led the Bulls to the team title. His best 8K clocking was 26:18.00 at Lehigh's Paul Short Invitational.

Steve Strelick

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. Strelick, winner of the Most Improved Award for the 2003 season, competed in eight races. He turned in a best 8K time of 26:48.77 at the UB Open to place sixth overall.

Dan McKenna

The Most Outstanding Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. McKenna, the Top Newcomer in 2003, was UB's top finisher in three races, including both postseason competitions as the Bulls raced at the Mid-American Conference Championships and the NCAA Northeast Regional meet. On the Toledo, OH course, McKenna clocked his best 8K times as he finished in 26:17 in the regular season meet, the Central Collegiate Invitational, and in 26:17.20 in the MAC Championships.

The Bulls completed their season with a seventh-place finish at the MAC Championships and followed with a 22nd-place showing at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships.