CROSS COUNTRY

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BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo men's cross country squad presented its team awards for the 2001 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Head coach Dick Barry made the following presentations: Steve Strelick (Rochester, NY/Greece-Athena) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Eric Czubaj (Buffalo, NY/John F. Kennedy) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Jerimie Slick (Greece, NY/Greece-Olympia) received the Coach's Award; and Todd Ludden (Hornell, NY/Hornell) was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.

Steve Strelick

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. Strelick competed in six races for the Bulls in 2001. His best time for 8,000 meters was 26:27.71, set at the Lehigh University Paul Short Invitational on October 6.

Eric Czubaj

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. Czubaj participated in five races. He turned in a best time of 26:51.3 for 8,000 meters at the Mid-American Conference Championships on October 27.

Jerimie Slick

The Coach's 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. Slick made significant contributions to the program, becoming the first UB men's cross country runner to represent the University at the NCAA Championships in over 30 years. He turned in top-10 finishes in five of the seven meets in which he raced. Slick earned MAC First-Team honors with his sixth-place finish at the conference championships of 25:21.9, his best 8,000-meter time of the season. He placed 91st at the NCAA Championships in Greenville, SC, turning in a 10,000-meter time of 30:54.

Todd Ludden

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. Ludden earned the award for the second year in a row. He raced in six events, earning All-MAC Second-Team honors with his eighth-place finish in 25:24.5 for the 8,000-meter course. He also placed first at the season opening Akron Invitational with a four-mile time of 20:44.10 and registered an 8,000-meter season-best of 25:20.15 at the Red Flash Invitational on September 29, as he finished second in a field of 62 runners.

The Bulls completed their season with a 6-1 overall record and 1-1 MAC dual meet record. The team also recorded a fifth-place finish, its best ever, at the MAC Championships in Ypsilanti, MI and followed with a 12th place showing at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships. The team was also given the Athletic Director's Team Award for its performance during the 2001-02 season.