UB Women's Indoor Track and Field Announces Awards

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s indoor track and field squad announced its team awards for the 2008-09 season. Head coach Vicki Mitchell made the following presentations: Kristy Woods was selected as the Top Newcomer; Jessica Schultz earned the Most Improved Player Award; Tina Villa received the Coaches’ Award; and Caitlin Godin was named Most Outstanding.

Kristy Woods

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student-athlete who distinguishes herself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Woods continued the long line of throwers to achieve success with the Bulls. At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, she placed eighth in the shot put (47-7.75, 14.52m) and 10th in the weight throw (55-2.75, 16.83m), setting a season-best mark in the event. Woods finished with a season-best shot put mark of 48-11.50 (14.92m) at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York on February 7, placing fourth among 57 entrants. The freshman attained ECAC qualifying marks in both events during the season.

Jessica Schultz

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Schultz posted UB's fastest 3,000- (10:04.33) and 5,000-meter (17:46.15) times of the season. She finished sixth in the 3,000-meters (10:08.10) at the MAC Championships and ran the anchor leg of UB's third-place distance medley relay as the Bulls earned an ECAC qualifying time in race. Schultz also posted an individual ECAC qualifying time with her 5:00.32 clocking in the mile. Schultz was also named to the Academic All-MAC team following the indoor season.

Tina Villa

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. Villa, last season's Most Outstanding award winner, earned a provisional NCAA qualfiying distance with her fourth-place finish in the shot put at the MAC Championships. Villa set a season-best with her throw of 50-0.50 (15.25m) at the meet. She also earned a spot on the Academic All-MAC team and won the UB Coaches' Award in 2007.

Caitlin Godin

The Most Outstanding Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Godin finished fourth in the women’s pentathlon at the MAC Championships with 3,652 points, qualifying for ECAC Championships. She set season-best marks in the 800-meters, long jump and shot put during the five-event competition. Godin was also named to the Academic All-MAC squad.

The Bulls finished sixth of 12 schools at the MAC Championships in Kent, OH to end the year.