The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
06.08.2015 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Coaches recognized by peers
EUGENE, Ore. – Two members of the Texas Track and Field coaching staff were recognized by their peers on Monday earning regional awards from the USTFCCCA. Head Coach Mario Sategna and Associate Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey each received honors for the South Central Region.
Heading into the NCAA Championships this week the coaches association recognized the best of the best in all nine regions, awarding head coach and assistant coach of the year along with male and female athlete of the year honors for field events and track events.
Sategna was voted the South Central Men's Head Coach of the Year for his team's performance this outdoor season. The Longhorns dominated the Big 12 Conference Championship winning by a large margin over Texas Tech. Sategna saw his men win four event titles and take second in six.
Sategna personally coached Johannes Hock and Wolf Mahler to a 1-2 finish in the decathlon. They each utilized their strengths in the later events of the decathlon to climb up the standings and made the push for the 1-2 finish. Sategna will coach Mahler at the NCAA Championships this week.
Buford-Bailey was recognized as the South Central Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. At the Big 12 Championships her sprinters swept their event group winning the 100, 200 and 400 meters. Morolake Akinosun defended her titles in the 100 and 200, and Courtney Okolo claimed the 400 again. Buford-Bailey also coached Ariel Jones and Melissa Gonzalez to a 1-2 finish in the 400 meter hurdles. The women also won both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays under Buford-Bailey's direction.
With all those wins the sprint group helped Texas hold off Kansas State to win the conference title and sweep the Big 12 in 2015.
The Longhorns take on the nation's best this week in Eugene at the NCAA Championships. Action begins Wednesday and runs through Saturday.
