UB Men's Outdoor Track and Field Announces Awards

Garbaty, Gac, Madonia, Smith earn accolades

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men’s outdoor track and field squad announced its team awards for the 2008-09 season. Head coach Perry Jenkins made the following presentations: Casey Garbaty was selected as the Top Newcomer; Matt Gac earned the Most Improved Player Award; Jake Madonia received the Coaches’ Award; and Brian Smith was named Most Outstanding.

Casey Garbaty

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. Garbaty became the first UB javelin thrower to eclipse 200 feet with a school record toss of 209-9 at the Campbell/Wright Open. He placed fifth at the MAC Outdoor Championships (195-8) and competed at the NCAA East Regionals with a ninth-place finish (203-8). Garbaty also finished fourth at the Canadian Nationals (207-0).

Matt Gac

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. Gac, selected as the Top Newcomer following the 2008 season, placed fourth in the hammer throw (180-1) at the MAC Outdoor Championships and earned a spot in the NCAA East Regionals finishing 18th (179-6). Gac set the UB record in the event at 191-7 at the Cornell Outdoor Invitational.

Jake Madonia

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. Madonia, who made a comeback after missing almost two years following a diagnosis of synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue, earned the 2009 Giant Steps Award from the National Consortium for Academics and Sports after his return to competition. He set UB’s top outdoor shot put mark with a 55-1.50 throw to place second at the MAC Championships, earning a spot in the NCAA East Regionals and All-MAC Second-Team honors. He threw the shot 52-10.50 at the regional meet and posted a season-best discus throw of 155-1 at the Penn Relays. Madonia was also named to the MAC All-Academic teams.

Brian Smith

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. Smith broke his own school record in the 200-meters (21.13) at the UB Invitational and earned All-MAC Second-Team honors helping the Bulls to a second-place finish in the 4x100-meter relay in a school record 40.46 at the MAC Outdoor Championships. Smith also placed third in the 200-meters (21.47) at the MAC Outdoor Championships.

The Bulls finished fifth at the Mid-American Conference Championhips in Akron, OH.