While other awards will be forthcoming - All-KCAC designations and potential national honors - the track and field team took some time Sunday, May 17 to honor its own at an award banquet in the Levin Room at Pihlblad Union.

The team voted for most of the awards and several of the vote counts were close enough to warrant a dual honoree. Honored by the Swedes T&F team were as follows:

MEN'S TEAM

Most Inspirational Athlete - Nicholas O'Loughlin and Hugo Escobar

Most Outstanding - Field Events - Ira Autrey Jr.

Most Outstanding - Track Events - Nicholas O'Loughlin

Most Improved Athlete - Ty Bieker and Tomas Ortiz

WOMEN'S TEAM

Most Inspirational Athlete - Jessica Becker and Courtney Gallardo

Most Outstanding - Field Events - Jessica Becker

Most Outstanding - Track Events - Molly McElgunn

Most Improved Athlete - Shane Valdez and Courtney Chandler

Head Coach Aaron Davis and assistant coach Jay Myers have added an additional coaches' honor that will become an annual honor - the Jessica Becker Award.

"She has been the heart and soul and the face of Bethany track for some time," Davis said. "The sacrifice, hard work - all of that."

In a fitting tribute, senior Jessica Becker won the first awarding of the honor named after her.