Big Ten Announces Women’s Indoor Track & Field Individual Honors

The Big Ten Conference office announced on Wednesday the 2013 Big Ten women’s indoor
track and field individual award winners. Highlighting the list, Illinois sophomore
Ashley Spencer was named Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year and Michigan State senior
Beth Rohl earned the nod as Field Athlete of the Year. In addition, Spencer was
tabbed Big Ten Track Athlete of the Championships, while Nebraska’s Mara Griva took
home Field Athlete of the Championships laurels. Illinois’ Morolake Akinosun was
tabbed Freshman of the Year by the conference coaches, while Fighting Illini head
coach Tonja Buford-Bailey was named Coach of the Year by her peers.

The Big Ten Conference office recognizes student-athletes from each team as
Sportsmanship Award Honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have
distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition,
the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good
citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.  Honorees for women’s indoor
track and field are Illinois’ Samantha Murphy, Indiana’s Courtney Woodard, Iowa’s
Raven Moore, Michigan’s Amber Smith, Michigan State’s Alysson Bodenbach, Minnesota’s
Jeri Johnson-Chambers, Nebraska’s Griva, Ohio State’s Katie Borchers, Penn State’s
Kiah Seymour, Purdue’s Dani Bunch and Wisconsin’s Abby Wiegel. These
student-athletes are now candidates for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as the
conference office will honor one male and one female student-athlete from each
institution at the end of the school year.

Track Athlete of the Year
Ashley Spencer, Illinois

Field Athlete of the Year
Beth Rohl, Michigan State

Freshman of the Year
Morolake Akinosun, Illinois

Track Athlete of the Championships
Ashley Spencer, Illinois

Field Athlete of the Championships
Mara Griva, Nebraska

Coach of the Year
Tonja Buford-Bailey, Illinois