Rochelle Farquharson Receives SEC Freshman Of The Year Honors
"I am proud of our athletes, making All-SEC is a big deal," MSU coach Steve Dudley said. "I am especially proud of Rochelle for being named Freshman Field Athlete of the Year. That award is voted on by the coaches, so that just shows me our athletes are getting noticed by others for their efforts."
Farquharson was also named first team All-SEC and is a member of the All-Freshman team for her performance in the long jump. The native of Jamaica, who competes in both the long and triple jump, has had quite the impressive freshman year, claiming three long jump victories in the regular season before jumping a personal best 21-3 ¼ to claim the title at the SEC Champions.
Joining Farquharson as members of the All-SEC first team is the men’s 4x400m relay squad. The quartet of James Harris, Daundre Barnaby, Randy Patterson and O’Neal Wilder secured their spot as they were crowned SEC Champions at last week’s meet in Athens, Ga. Harris was also named to the All-Freshman team for his third-place performance in the 400-meter dash at the SEC Championships.
Rounding out the All-Freshman Bulldog honorees are high jumper Marcus Jackson, who was also tabbed second team All-SEC, and John Valentine, who competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
This week, the Maroon and White is back in action in Bloomington, Ind., competing in the NCAA Outdoor Championships East Preliminary. The NCAA Championships are scheduled for June 8-11 in Des Moines, Iowa.
2011 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Awards
Women's Runner of the Year: Semoy Hackett, LSU
Men's Runner of the Year: Kirani James, Alabama
Women's Field Athlete of the Year: Tina Sutej, Arkansas
Men's Field Athlete of the Year: Will Claye, Florida
Women's Freshman Runner of the Year: Jasmin Stowers, LSU
Men's Freshman Runner of the Year: Dentarius Locke, Tennessee
Women's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Rochelle Farquharson, MSU
Men's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year: Stephen Saenz, Auburn
Women's Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Holly Knight, Auburn; Chanelle Price, Tennessee
Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Lee Ellis Moore, Ole Miss
Women's Coach of the Year: Dennis Shaver, LSU
Men's Coach of the Year: Chris Bucknam, Arkansas