BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's outdoor track and field squad presented its team awards at the conclusion of the 2005 season. Head coach Vicki Mitchell made the following presentations: Vanessa Roelofsen (Alma, Ontario/Norwell District SS) earned the Top Newcomer Award; Patrice Coney (Lyons, NY/Lyons) earned the Most Improved Player Award; Vashone Wallace (Lackawanna, NY/Lackawanna) received the Coaches' Award; and Faith Thompson (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) was named Most Outstanding.

Vanessa Roelofsen

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. Roelofsen, a freshman javelin thrower, shattered the school record in the javelin at the UNC-Wilmington Seahawk Invitational in her first outdoor meet. Roelofsen won the event with a throw of 161-9 (49.30m), breaking Meagan Rogers' 2003 record of 124-1 (37.82m) and earning her a spot at the NCCA Regional meet at the end of May. Roelofsen finished her season with a second-place finish (158-8/48.36m) at the MAC Championships and a 14th-place finish (145-4/44.29m) at the NCAA Regional meet.

Patrice Coney

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. Coney was one of the Bulls' top jumpers, having team highs in the high jump (5-4.25/1.63m), long jump (18-6.50/5.65m) and triple jump (34-8.50/10.58m). She also had a team high in the heptathlon (4,915 points) at the MAC Championships to place second. Coney also had the top team performances in the 100-meter hurdles (14.15) and the 1,600-meter relay (3:44.77) during the season.

Vashone Wallace

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. Wallace was an integral part of UB's relay squads throughout the season. She was a part of the top team performances in the 400-meter relay (47.23), the 1,600-meter relay (3:44.77) and the sprint medley relay (4:06.02).

Faith Thompson

The Most Outstanding Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Thompson set two outdoor school records in the shot put (50-9.25/15.47m) and the hammer (199-6/60.80m). She was the Mid-American Conference champion in the hammer throw and UB's first female Division I Academic All-America honoree. Thompson saw her stellar collegiate career come to a close with a 15th-place finish (187-8/57.20m) in the hammer throw at the NCAA Championships in June.

The Bulls completed their season with a seventh-place finish at the MAC Championships and sent four athletes to the NCAA East Regional Meet, where they tied for 24th of 45 scoring teams.

~ written by Jim Parker, Athletic Communications Intern