Track & Field Athletes Honored by Big Ten
5/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
May 26, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Three members of the Michigan State track & field program were honored as All-Big Ten selections, as announced by the Big Ten office. Both senior Nicole Bush (Wyoming, Mich.) and freshman Lonnie Pugh (Grosse Ile, Mich.) were honored as All-Big Ten First Team selections after winning their respective events at the 2009 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Sophomore jumper Kyron Foster (Deltona, Fla.) was named to the second team after placing second in the triple jump at the championships. Seniors Lisa Senakiewich (Davison, Mich.) and Michael Smoot (Trenton, Mich.) were honored as MSU's recipients of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award as well.
Bush claimed the Big Ten 3,000m steeplechase title after clocking in at 9:41.87 at the championships, setting a new Big Ten record en-route to the title, winning the race by nearly 17 seconds. Bush also finished in second place in the 5,000m run after clocking 15:55.41. Bush becomes the first Spartan to take home All-Big Ten outdoor honors twice in her career since Jamie Krzyminski did so in 2003 and 2004; Bush was last honored as an All-Big Ten selection in 2007. She was also the first Spartan on the women's side to claim a Big Ten title since Taren James won the triple jump in 2006.
Pugh claimed the Big Ten title in the men's discus, tossing 53.65m (176-0), earning him first team honors. With the honor, Pugh gives MSU an All-Big Ten section in each of the past four seasons on the men's side. Pugh was also the first individual to win a Big Ten title for the Spartan men since Brad Gebauer did so in 2006.
Foster claimed Second Team All-Big Ten honors after breaking the school record in the triple jump, leaping 15.88m (52-1 1/4) en-route to a second-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Foster is the sixth Spartan since 2002 to be honored as an All-Big Ten selection in the jump events, including the third triple jumper since 2007 as Allen claimed All-Big Ten honors in the event in both 2007 and 2008.
Both Senakiewich and Smoot were the Spartans' recipients of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports competition setting.
The Spartans will head to the NCAA Mideast Regional in Louisville, Ky. this weekend. For a complete recap of the weekend's action, check back with www.msuspartans.com.
Players Mentioned
