Award winners, from left, Kara Webb, Kathryn Forbes, Emily Weinzetl and Leah Bradley (photo by Rob Schabert)

May 10, 2012

Weinzetl named MVP, track & field team honors announced

Emily Weinzetl was named Most Valuable and three others accepted top awards as the Tennessee Tech women's track & field team met recently to accept honors from coach Tony Cox at the squad's annual awards dinner.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Emily Weinzetl, one of five seniors on the team, was recognized recently as the Most Valuable member of Tennessee Tech Women's Track & Field for the 2012 season. Weinzetl's honor and other award winners were announced by head coach Tony Cox at the team's annual Awards Dinner.

In addition to Weinzetl, top honors went to freshman Kara Webb, junior Kathryn Forbes and senior Leah Bradley. Cox and his team acknowledged the team's five seniors, and permanent team captains were revealed.

The senior class included Weinzetl, Bradley, Traci Jones, Rebecca Forbes and Jenna Philpott, who all took the spotlight to "roast" their teammates and each other to close the event. The night began with a highlight video, produced by junior thrower Madison Borden, that featured highlights of the season and tributes to the five seniors (watch the video below).

Cox introduced the team captains as Jones, Weinzetl, Forbes and Philpott. Jones and Weinzetl were named captains of the runners, Forbes of the throwers and Philpott for the jumpers.

Weinzetl went out on a high note to close her Golden Eagle career, helping to set the school record in the 4x400-meter relay at the OVC Championships. She also clocked the team's best time in the 800-meter run, posting a 2:17.89 at Austin Peay that was just a shade behind the school record (2:17.02). A journalism major from San Antonio, Texas, Weinzetl also ran the 400-meter dash.

"Emily has had a great career here at Tech," Cox said. "She is very well respected by her teammates and coach. Emily has taken on a leadership role this year and the team responded well to her. She has been a pleasure to work with the past four years."

Webb, a freshman from New Market, Tenn., developed into one of the team's top middle distance runners to win the Rookie Award for her immediate impact on the team. She clocked the second-fastest time this year in the 1,500-meter run for the Golden Eagles and also ran in the 800-meter and mile runs. During the indoor season, she had Tech's best time in the mile run.

"Kara became a very important member of the team during her first year here," Cox said. "She was our number one 1,500 meter runner this year and set several personal bests along the way. Kara has a bright future here as she continues to move up in the conference standings."

A junior middle-distance runner from Knoxville, Kathryn Forbes was presented with the team's Most Improved Award. A regular entry in the 1,500-meter run, she also competed in the 3,000-meter and 800-meter races.

"Kathryn worked really hard this year to improve," Cox said. "She was injured last year but was determined to have a good season this time around. She improved her times every meet this season."

The final team award went to Bradley, a senior middle-distance runner from McDonough, Ga. Competing in the 800m, 1,500m and mile, Bradley set personal-best marks in nearly every race she ran. During the indoor season, she had the team's top time at 800m, the second-best in the mile, and also ran a leg of the distance medley relay. Outdoors, she ran Tech's best at 1,500m and was the team's second-fastest at 800m.

"Leah suffered an ankle injury during the indoor season that stayed with her for the rest of the year," Cox said. "She did extra work every day so she could be ready to practice. Her teammates saw her dedication to the team and her desire to contribute to the team. This award is recognition of Leah's hard work throughout the season."