UB Men's Outdoor Track and Field Announces Awards

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men’s outdoor track and field squad announced its team awards for the 2007-08 season. Head coach Perry Jenkins made the following presentations: Matt Gac (Newark Valley, NY/Newark Valley) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Dan Schichtel (Eden, NY/Eden) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Ryan Bloom (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) received the Coaches’ Award; and Ezekiel Porter (Rochester, NY/East) was named Most Outstanding.

Matt Gac

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. Gac, who was also selected as the indoor track team's Top Newcomer, earned points in two throwing events at the Mid-American Conference Championships in May. He placed third in the discus (163-5) and fourth in the hammer throw (180-8) at the meet and his hammer throw was the team's top mark in the event.

Dan Schichtel

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. Schichtel set the school record in the 100-meters (10.64) to finish fifth at the MAC Championships and also ran the opening leg of the third-place 4x100 relay (41.25). Schichel was also named to the Academic All-MAC indoor and outdoor track teams.

Ryan Bloom

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. Bloom was one of UB's top men's distance runners in 2008. He finished eighth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:30.65) and 15th in the 5,000-meter (15:59.39) at the MAC Championships in May.

Ezekiel Porter

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. Porter earned All-MAC Second-Team honors in the outdoor season as he finished second in the 400-meters (47.94) at the MAC Championships after posting the fastest qualifying time (season-best 47.66) in the preliminaries. He also ran the opening leg of UB’s 4x400 relay at the meet. Selected as UB’s Most Outstanding for the indoor season as well, Porter was named to the Academic All-MAC indoor and outdoor teams.

The Bulls finished sixth at the MAC Championhips in Bowling Green, OH.