Pair of Michigan runners honored

Pankratz named top Big Ten coach

Kevin Sullivan and Katie McGregor both won a conference title at last Saturday's Big Ten championships.

Tuesday both Sullivan and McGregor were named Big Ten Athletes of the Year.

Sullivan captured another Big Ten title, his fourth in the past five years, and his first Athlete of the Year award.

"I was very pleased to win the award," Sullivan said. "I felt that both myself and John Mortimer were up for the award, but my results at the Big Ten championships probably convinced the voters."

Sullivan, a fifth-year senior, is also a three-time NCAA District IV champion and a three-time All-American in cross country. He redshirted the 1996 season with a heel injury that prevented him from participating in the Canadian Olympic Trials.

McGregor captured her first Big Ten title on Saturday as well as her first Athlete of the Year honors. McGregor has been the top runner on the women's team this year. She captured first place honors in the Michigan interstate meet, and second in the Michigan inter-regional.

Men's cross country coach Ron Warhurst and women's runner Julie Froud were acknowledged by the Big Ten as well. Warhurst received Big Ten Coach of the Year, his third, having won the award in 1990 and 1993.

Froud received the women's Freshman of the Year honor. Froud has run in the front pack all year, her worst finish being fourth during the regular season.

Pankratz honored: Field hockey coach Marcia Pankratz was named Big Ten coach of the year in her second season in Ann Arbor after leading the Wolverines to a No. 2 seed in the conference tournament starting tomorrow.

Senior midfielder Julie Flachs was honored as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year after posting school records of 28 goals and 61 points this season.

Kelli Gannon was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after scoring four goals and two assists for the Wolverines.

11-07-97