Lion Track Garners Three SLC Postseason Awards

FRISCO, Texas - Coming off a thrilling come-from-behind win at the 2009 Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships over the weekend, the postseason accolades have begun piling up for the Southeastern Louisiana University men's track and field team as head caoch Sean Brady, sophomore distance runner Henry Rop and junior thrower Adonson Shallow all picked up postseason honors the league office announced on Wednesday.

After leading the Lions to their first ever SLC championship (on the heels of a second place finish at the league meet in 2008), Brady was named 2009 SLC Coach of the Year.  Brady's Coach of the Year award is the first SLC coach of the year honor of his career.

Meanwhile sophomore distance runner Henry Rop claimed Male Athlete of the Year accolades and Shallow picked up Oustanding Field Performer of the Year honors.  The trio give the Lions more postseason award winners than any other SLC school.

Rop led the way for the Lions at the league meet with three All-SLC performances in three of the most greuling events at the meet.   Rop compiled a team-best 22 points, which was the second-best total at the meet. 

Rop got started by posting a second-place school record time of 31:01.09 in the 10,000 on Friday's 10,000 m run. A day later, Rop followed his showing in the 10K with another second-place school record time of 9:09.16 in the 3,000 m steeplechase. 

The Kapsabet, Kenya native capped off his weekend with a third-place showing in Sunday's 5,000 m run that helped the Lions overcome a 7.5 point deficit in the final two events of the meet.  The Athlete of the Year honors mark Rop's second career SLC postseason award.  In 2008, his first season at Southeastern, Rop was named SLC Newcomer of the Year

Shallow overcame a slow start on the opening day of the meet when he fouled out in the hammer throw by claiming second place and All-SLC honors in both the shot put and discus.  Shallow follows in the footsteps of former Lion Teremine White who was named Outstanding Field Performer of the Year following last season's league championship meet.

The Lions will return to action May 29-30 when eight Southeastern track and field student athletes will head to Louisville, Ky. to compete in the 2009 NCAA Mideast Regionals