UB Men's Indoor Track and Field Announces Awards

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men’s indoor track and field squad announced its team awards for the 2008-09 season. Head coach Perry Jenkins made the following presentations: Brian Smith was selected as the Top Newcomer; Russell Cameron earned the Most Improved Player Award; Dan Schichtel received the Coaches’ Award; and Alex Stamatakis was named Most Outstanding.

Brian Smith

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. Smith, in his first indoor season, was one of UB's top men's sprinters. Smith finished fourth in the 200-meters at the Mid-American Conference Championships in a season-best 21.71. Smith also turned in a 60-meter mark of 6.97 to place ninth at the meet. Both times were IC4A qualifying marks.

Russell Cameron

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. Cameron finished fourth in the men's heptathlon at the MAC Championships after a seventh-place finish in the 2007 meet. Cameron, who redshirted the 2007-08 season, totaled 4,925 points in the seven-event, two-day competition, winning the 1,000-meter run (2:44.59) and placing second in the shot put (42-2.25, 12.86m). Cameron's point total also qualified him for the IC4A meet.

Dan Schichtel

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. Schichtel, another of UB's strong sprint team, posted IC4A qualifying times in both the 60- (6.92) and 200-meter (22.20) races at the season-opening Akron Quad on January 9. Schichel reached the finals of the 60-meters at the MAC Championships, placing seventh. Schichtel also was named to the Academic All-MAC team following the indoor season.

Alex Stamatakis

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. Stamatakis won his signature event, the men's shot put, with a throw of 56-10.75 (17.34m) at the MAC Championships. He improved his performance in the event with each successive throw of the competition, starting with a toss of 53-4 (16.26m) through his winning toss on his next to last attempt. Stamatakis also placed fourth in the weight throw at 59-1.25 (18.01m) in the meet. He broke the UB record in the shot put and earned a provisional NCAA qualification with his toss of 58-7.25 (17.86m) at the Akron Open on February 20.

The Bulls finished fifth at the MAC Championships in Kent, OH to conclude the season.