NEW ORLEANS, La. --- Having already been named the indoor National Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), Amber Celen has also earned the Outstanding Performer of the Meet Award for the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Division records, meet records and Res Rec Center facility records were no match for the Outstanding Performers of the Meet at the 2017 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend in Naperville, Illinois.
Between Bridgewater's Celen, UW-Stevens Point's Jerry Williams and the SUNY Geneseo duo of Isaac Garcia-Cassani and Alexa Wandy, five records were set over the span of two days – one all-time NCAA D-III mark, two meet records and two facility records. That quartet also scored a total of 70 points for their teams in their respective events and that all added up to them being named Outstanding Athletes of the Meet by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Thursday.
Each year the USTFCCCA honors the Outstanding Performers of the Meet at both of the national Division III championships. Winners are determined using a formula that takes into account team points scored, plus meet records (five additional points), Division III season bests based on the converted qualifying lists (three points) and facility records (one point). Relay points, if applicable, are split equally between the four team members.
Celen, the Outstanding Female Track Athlete of the Meet, starred under the bright lights.
The junior from Townsend, Delaware, left her mark as she became the third woman in NCAA D-III history to win the 60m and 200m at the same indoor meet.
Celen cruised to the 60 meter title with a time of 7.54 that stands as the fourth best mark in NCAA D-III history and the top mark all season. Then Celen turned her attention to the 200m, where she broke a division, meet and facility record with her effort of 24.15.
--- This release is courtesy of the Bridgewater College department of athletic communications. ---
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