May 22, 2008

IRVING, Texas - The Big 12 Conference has announced Outdoor Track & Field postseason honors, as selected by the league's head coaches. Honors include men's and women's Coach, Performer and Freshman of the Year.

Mark Wetmore (Colorado) was named Men's Coach of the Year for the first time, while Pat Henry (Texas A&M) earned his second straight Big 12 Women's Coach of the Year accolade. Nebraska's Dusty Jonas was named Men's Outdoor Performer of the Year and Porscha Lucas of Texas A&M claimed Women's Outdoor Performer of the Year. The Men's and Women's Freshman Performer of the Year honors went to a pair of Aggies as Gerald Phiri and Jessica Beard earned top frosh accolades.

Wetmore enters his 16th season at Colorado, his 13th as the head coach. This is the first time he has led a team to a Big 12 track title and earned Coach of the Year in track. He has earned Cross Country Coach of the Year honors 10 times as women's head coach and all 11 times on the men's side. On the track his indoor and outdoor teams have combined for 16 top-5 conference finishes and 77 individual crowns. Under his tutelage 104 student-athletes have been awarded All-American titles and 12 national champions have been crowned.