SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University track and field teams nabbed two post-outdoor season Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) awards on Friday afternoon, as
Kai Smith was named Men's Athlete of the Year and head coach
Jim Jones headed the Men's Coaching Staff of the Year.
Smith, a sophomore from Upper Marlboro, Md., was a force on the track all season long en route to five podium finishes in the 200 meters, four in the 400 meters, and two in the 4x400-meter relay, plus three C2C Athlete of the Week honors. At the C2C Outdoor Championships in May, Smith won four gold medals between his individual races and relays. He took first place in the 200 meters with a school, conference, and championship meet record of 20.89 seconds, as well as in the 400 meters at 47.82 seconds - also a school record. Additionally, Smith ran anchor for the Sea Gulls' gold-medal 4x100-meter relay team (41.49) and the first leg of its winning 4x400-meter relay side (3:19.04). He was crowned C2C Men's Track Athlete of the Meet for his efforts.
Smith earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Outdoor All-Mid-Atlantic Region in all four of his primary events. He also ran anchor for the 4x100-meter relay squad that won the Eastern Collegiate championship at the 128th Penn Relays. Smith qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 200 meters, ultimately earning All-America status by finishing fourth.
Completing his 25th season leading the track and field programs, Jones brings home his 12th Men's Outdoor Coach of the Year title and second straight. The Sea Gull men finished second at the C2C Outdoor Championships - just six points shy of first - winning gold medals in nine events and producing 20 All-C2C athletes. Smith and javelin thrower
Cameron Hasko gave SU a sweep of the Men's Track and Field Athletes of the Meet.
Nine Sea Gull men's athletes across eight events earned USTFCCCA All-Region accolades. SU sent a pair of athletes to the outdoor national meet, including Smith in the 200 meters and
Logan Kelsch, who finished 17th in the discus throw.
Rashawn Markman was also set to qualify for nationals in the triple jump but did not compete due to injury.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 199 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
