May 24, 2006
Nate Meckes & Christine Hendricks Named Division III
Great Lakes Regional Athletes of the Year in Track & Field By USTCA
Two members of the Calvin track and field program have received Division III Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year Awards from the United States Track and Field Coaches Association.
On the men's side, senior Nate Meckes has been named Great Lakes Regional Field Event Athlete of the Year while senior Christine Hendricks has received the same honor on the women's side.
This is the first year that the USTCA has divided the regional athlete of the year awards into a field event athlete of the year and a runner athlete of the year.
A graduate of Detroit's Lutheran Westland High School and a resident of Bay City, Meckes is receiving Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year honors for the third time in his collegiate career. He was previously so honored in 2003 and in 2005. A two-time NCAA III All-American in the shot put and a two-time All-American in the discus, Meckes is the top seed in the shot put (58-8 ¾) for this weekend's NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Lisle, Illinois. He is also the fourth seed in the discus (184-6). A year ago, Meckes took fourth in the shot put and second in the discus at the national meet. Earlier this spring, he was named the MIAA's Most Outstanding Field Event Performer and helped the Calvin men's track and field team capture its 13th consecutive MIAA title.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio and a graduate of Turpin High School, Hendricks is receiving regional athlete of the year honors for the first time. She is the top seed in the heptathlon (4,894 points) for this weekend's NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She is a two-time All-American in the event, having finished eighth in 2003 and third in 2005. She has also qualified for the national meet in the 100 meter hurdles where she is seeded 20th (14.70). Earlier this month, Hendricks captured her third consecutive MIAA title in the javelin and was named the MIAA's Most Outstanding Field Event Performer for the second straight year.
The NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships are being held at Benedictine University with events scheduled to commence on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. (CST). Last year, the Calvin women's track and field team finished second with 41 points while the Calvin men's team tied for sixth place with 30 points.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Wed May 24 15:46:06 2006
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