The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Akinosun named Big 12 Performer of the Year
05.19.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Sprinter sets standard at conference championship meet
AUSTIN, Texas – The Big 12 Conference announced its 2016 Outdoor Track & Field postseason awards on Thursday and one Texas Longhorns was recognized for her record-breaking performances.
Senior sprinter Morolake Akinosun received the Women's Outstanding Performer of the Year award to become the first Longhorn to win the award since Courtney Okolo did in 2014.
Akinosun made history at the 2016 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship as she became the first woman to ever win both the 100 meters and 200 meters three times. Akinosun clocked in at 11.32 seconds to win the 100 and finished the 200 in 23.08, just out-leaning Oklahoma's Daye Shon Roberson by .01 for the victory.
Akinosun also ran the anchor leg of UT's 4x100 meter relay team to win in 44.05 seconds to set a Lowdon Track Complex facility record. It also was the third straight title for the Texas women in the event, to give Akinosun nine titles in her three primary events. She also ran on the victorious 4x400 squad in 2015, making Akinosun undefeated in finals at the Big 12 Conference Championship meet in her three-year career at Texas.
This is the sixth time Texas has won the women's Performer of the Year breaking a tie with former conference rival Texas A&M.
The Big 12 Men's Outstanding Performer of the Year was TCU's Ronnie Baker. The Men's Head Coach of the Year was Stanley Redwine of Kansas. Oklahoma's Jim VanHootegem received the Women's Head Coach of the Year award. Men's Outstanding Freshman of the Year went to Oklahoma State's Cerake Geberkidane and Kansas State's Shadae Lawrence was named Women's Freshman of the Year.
Texas is preparing for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds next week. The top 48 athletes and top 24 relay teams in the West region will compete at Rock Jock Park in Lawrence, Kansas. The top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 8-11. The decathlon and heptathlon are not held at the NCAA Preliminary Rounds. The 24 athletes in those events advance to the NCAA Championships.
