Springfield, Mass. - April 28, 2009 - After having simply sensational junior seasons on the track, both Steve Headley and Nikki Hay were recognized as the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Men's and Women's Track Athletes of the Year.Headley was tremendous for the Pride this outdoor season as he helped power Springfield to a third-place finish at the NEWMAC Championships. He captured the 100 meter dash in 10.78 and won the 200 meter dash in 21.78. He also anchored the 4x100 relay team of Matt Amendola, Tom Brognano, and Nickel Hay that finished first in a NEWMAC-record time of 41.51. The junior, who won the 55-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, has already qualified for the 100 and 200 meter races at the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Hay continued to be simply dominant this year as she was named the top track athlete in the conference. As Springfield finished in second place at the NEWMAC Championships, Hay won the 100 meter dash in 12.39 and blew away the competition in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.61. She also anchored the 4x100 relay team of Nicole Reynolds, Kelly Murphy, and Erika Marks that placed second in 50.35.
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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