BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo men's indoor track and field squad presented its team awards for the 2003-04 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet held at the Four Points Sheraton on April 27.

Head coach Perry Jenkins made the following presentations to his squad: Rayshon Higgins (Buffalo, NY/Timon/St. Jude) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Bryan Weinstein (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Todd Ludden (Hornell, NY/Hornell) received the Coaches' Award; and Todd Joki (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Rayshon Higgins

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. Higgins was the Bulls' top men's triple jumper, scoring a season-best mark of 48-1.25 (14.66m) at the Armory Collegiate Invitational to place fourth in the event.

Bryan Weinstein

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. Weinstein, one of the Bulls' top sprinters, set UB's best 200-meter mark of 22.13 at the Syracuse Invitational, placing second overall behind an unattached runner. He also turned in a 7.06 clocking in the 60-meter dash at the MAC Championships.

Todd Ludden

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. Ludden broke the school record in the 3,000-meter run at the Syracuse Invitational to highlight his season. He finished in 8:32.17, placing fourth overall and cutting the record by three and a half seconds.

Todd Joki

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. Joki finished third in the men's heptathlon at the MAC Championships, scoring a season-best 4,868 points. He was also UB's top indoor high jumper with a mark of 6-4 (1.93m), tying for first at the Syracuse Invitational.

UB's men placed seventh at the MAC Championships in Ypsilanti, MI. The team also competed at the IC4A Championships in Boston but did not score.