New Orleans, La. - March 12, 2009 - Springfield College juniors Steve Headley and Nikki Hay were recently honored for their outstanding indoor track and field seasons as they were among the 48 men’s and women’s regional athletes and coaches of the year for the 2009 Division III indoor track and field season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Wednesday.The USTFCCCA selects the top track athlete, field athlete, and coach for the eight regions in Division III track and field. Headley was selected as New England Men's Track Athlete of the Year, while Hay earned New England Women's Field Athlete of the Year.
Springfield College was one of only three schools in the entire country to have two athletes honored as Linfield and Haverford each had two athletes recognized for their efforts this season.
For Headley, this marks the first time that a member of the Springfield men's track and field team has been selected as a New England Athlete of the Year. As for Hay, this marks the second time she has been honored as she was named the USTFCCCA East Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year last spring.
A native of nearby Wilbraham, Mass., Headley is ranked first on the performance list in the 55 meters (6.26) and has remarkably gone undefeated in all of his competitions this season. He was the New England Division III Championship winner in the 55 meters with a time of 6.32 seconds. His national leading time is also a school record. Headley will compete on Friday evening at the NCAA Championships in the 55 meters.
Hay, who hails from Norwalk, Conn., has been nothing short of spectacular this season. She currently has the best triple jump mark in Division III at 39′3.25", which she set last weekend as the Pride won the ECAC Division III Championships. Hay was the New England Division III Champion in the long jump (18′0.25") and finished third in the triple jump (38′0.25"). This upcoming weekend, Hay will compete in two events at the NCAA Championships as she will run the 55 meter dash and triple jump.
Ken Klatka, just inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in October, 2011, enters his 37th season as head coach of the men’s track and field program in 2012-2013. He ranks among the nation’s most successful coaches, with an overall record of 442 wins, 144 losses, and two ties for an impressive .753 winning percentage. Under his direction, Kevin Coyle '12 won the 2011 Division III Indoor Long Jump National Championship.
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