UB Women's Outdoor Track and Field Announces Awards

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's outdoor track and field squad announced its team awards for the 2007-08 season. Head coach Vicki Mitchell made the following presentations: Katie Weston (North Bay, Ontario/Widdifield) was selected as the Top Newcomer; Jessica Schultz (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Tiffany Maskulinski (Elma, NY/Iroquois) received the Coaches’ Award; and Patrice Coney (Lyons, NY/Lyons) was named Most Outstanding.

Katie Weston

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. Weston set her top javelin mark of 154-1 at the UB Invitational, earning a spot in the NCAA East Regionals field where she placed 29th overall. Weston finished third in the javelin (147-9) at the MAC Outdoor Championships as UB posted first- and third-place finishes in the event.

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, who also won Most Improved from the 2007 cross country season, was one of UB'st top middle and long distance runners on the track. She finished 12th in the 5,000-meters at the MAC Championships in 18:15.05 after setting her season-best time of 18:07.60 at the Raleigh Relays in March.

Tiffany Maskulinski

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. Maskulinski earned All-East honors in the pole vault, clearing 12-6 at the NCAA East Regionals to tie for seventh overall. She also placed fifth (12-3.50) at the MAC Championships.

Patrice Coney

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. Coney won the MAC heptathlon title and was named to the All-MAC First Team. She scored 4,990 points in the seven-event competition to claim her second straight league heptathlon title and third overall. Coney set season-best marks in the high jump (5-5.75, 1.67m), tying for first and the 100-meter hurdles (14.16), finishing second among the seven events. She also finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles at the meet. She also earned spots on the Academic All-MAC indoor and outdoor teams.

The Bulls completed their season with a sixth-place finish at the MAC Championships in Bowling Green, OH in May. The Bulls also placed 27th among 51 schools at the NCAA East Regionals in Tallahassee, FL.