UB Shot Putters Earn NCAA Invites and Win USTFCCCA Regional Awards
3/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo shot putters Rob Golabek and Becky O'Brien earned invitations to compete in this weekend's NCAA National Indoor Track and Field Championships at Jacksons Track at the Idaho Center in Nampa, ID. It will be the second appearance in the national championships for both competitors after earning All-America honors at last season's meet.
Additionally, both athletes were named as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Northeast Region Field Athletes of the Year. The USTFCCCA announced its regional award winners in track and field events as well as coaches awards from its New Orleans headquarters on Monday. Both athletes earned the regional awards at the end of the 2011 outdoor season while Golabek also earned the award for the 2011 indoor campaign.
A senior from Hamburg, NY, Golabek ranks among the nation's top ten in the shot put this season, having tossed a season-best of 63-3.50 (19.29m) at the SPIRE Division I Invitational on February 11. On five occasions this year, Golabek, the winner of four competitions this season, broke his own UB and Mid-American Conference records in the shot put.
A junior from Cumberland, ME, O'Brien extended her UB and MAC records in the shot put with a season-best of 57-8.25 (17.58m) at the SPIRE Division I Invitational on February 11. O'Brien, undefeated this season and winner of her second-straight MAC indoor title, ranks fourth in the NCAA in the event this year.
The men's shot put competition is slated for Friday, March 9 starting at 7:30 pm (ET). The women's shot put will be held on Saturday, March 10 starting at 9:00 pm (ET).
