Aug. 4, 2011
After competing in a program-record 10 events at the NCAA East Regional and earning three All-America awards through the combined efforts of junior Katie Matthews and freshman Rich Peters, the Boston University track and field team has garnered the No. 4 spot in the Terrier Twelve.
Becoming the first Terrier since 2008 to earn All-America honors twice in a calendar year, Matthew single-handedly placed BU tops among Division I-AAA schools at the NCAA Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships by finishing sixth in the 5,000-meter run. She came back for her second award at the Outdoor Championships by taking eighth in the 10,000-meter final.
After helping the men's cross country team win its first America East title since 2000, Peters made his mark during the indoor season. He first set a conference record in the mile to become the first Terrier on the men's side since 2005 to earn the championship's Most Outstanding Rookie award. He then placed 11th at the NCAA Championships to garner Second Team All-America status.
Several other Terriers had standout moments to make the season memorable for the program. Named Most Outstanding Field Performer at the America East Outdoor Championships, sophomore Allison Barwise set league records in both the high jump and heptathlon. Junior Shelby Walton received Outstanding Track Performer accolades by winning the 100m and 200m along with the 4x100m relay event.
Sophomore R.J. Page took home Most Outstanding Track Performer honors and the Coaches' Award, presented to the student-athlete who accumulated the most points, by capturing titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He also took second in the 4x400m relay. Senior Dan Withrow became the first student-athlete in America East history to win the discus in three consecutive years to help BU finish third at the Outdoor Championships, the men's best result since placing second in 2001.
For the first time ever, the Terriers qualified for 10 NCAA outdoor preliminary events. Walton raced in both the 100m and 200m dashes, while Matthews raced in the 10,000m. Sophomore Nikko Brady ran in the 100m hurdles, senior Whitney Ford participated in the triple jump and Barwise competed in the high jump.
On the men's side, junior Tewado Latty and Page raced in the 400m and 200m, respectively. They also teamed up with freshman Stephen Vitale and senior Joel Senick in the 4x400m relay. Sophomore Robert Gibson added the 10th event by qualifying for the 5,000m.
Matthews, Barwise and Ford all advanced to the NCAA Championships. Barwise was just one of seven underclassmen to qualify for the high jump and earned Honorable Mention All-America honors. Ford also earned Honorable Mention accolades by finishing 23rd in the triple jump.
Freshman Rosa Moriello capped the Terriers' season by placing fourth in the 5,000m at the USA Track & Field championships, while Stephen Vitale took 16th in the 400m hurdles.
For her efforts at the helm, Robyne Johnson was tapped to lead the U.S. women's track & field team at the 2011 World University Games, which will take place in Shenzhen, China, on Aug. 12-23.
The Terrier Twelve
No. 5 - Men's Cross Country Returns to the Top
No. 6 - Women's Tennis Keeps Streak Alive
No. 7 - Men's Crew Claims Program-Record Five Cups
No. 8 - Wrestling Post Best NCAA Finish in 14 Years
No. 9 - BU Claims League-Record 11th AE Commissioner's Cup
No. 10 - Setterlund Helps Terriers Earn AE Regular Season Title
No. 11 - Men's Soccer Captures AE Regular Season Title
No. 12 - Alford Named AE Player of the Year, Leads Women's Basketball to Title Game
A Letter from Athletic Director Mike Lynch
