University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Townsend Named ACC Track & Field Women's Freshman Of The Year
6/17/2019 1:36:00 PM | Track & Field
PITTSBURGH – After an impressive first season on the track for the University of Pittsburgh track and field team, Sydni Townsend was tabbed as the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Outdoor Freshman of the Year, as selected by the conference's coaches and announced on Monday afternoon.
"With all the amazing freshman athletes that compete in the ACC each year, being selected as the best of the best is more than impressive," said head coach Alonzo Webb. "To be noticed and selected by the head coaches in the ACC as the best female freshman athlete is a testament to her talent, work ethic and competitiveness. I'm really proud of what Sydni has accomplished so far and is so deserving of this award among many other deserving athletes."
Townsend becomes the first Pitt athlete in program history to earn an ACC postseason award, Freshman of the Year, after a strong season that culminated with Second Team All-American honors in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, TX.
The Philadelphia, PA native made her debut at the NCAA Outdoor Championships just over a week ago and had an impressive showing as she was able to post the 14th best time in the 400m hurdles semifinal to become an All-American for the first time in her career. With the Second Team All-America honors, Townsend became the first Pitt female hurdler since Julianna Reed in 2006 to earn Outdoor All-American honors as she crossed the line in 57.92 seconds, the third best finish among all freshman in the event.
"Sydni is setting a standard for our team that I'm certain will only help us to continue to grow," stated Webb. "What sets her apart is that she doesn't compete like a freshman, she competes like a division I athlete, which is what I ask of all of our first-year athletes."
Townsend wraps up her first collegiate season for the Panthers with a pair of Second Team All-ACC Outdoor honors as she was able to collect a fourth place finish in the 400m hurdles and a third place finish in the 4x400m relay. She then posted her best 400m hurdles race of her career at the NCAA East prelims as she posted an 11th place finish in 57.86 seconds, the fourth fastest time in the event in program history.
"My journey hasn't been an easy one," said Townsend. "Coming into the season I never thought I would receive this kind of award, but I'm very honored and blessed to be noticed for all the hard work I've put in. I would like to thank my coaches, my parents, my siblings and friends as without them, this process would be impossible."
The freshman sensation has another competition lined up before her first season officially comes to an end as she will be competing in the USATF U20 competition in Miramar, FL from June 21-23. If she can secure a top two finish in the 400m hurdles at the meet, she will represent the USA in the Pan American U-20 Championship meet in San Jose, Costa Rica from July 19-21.
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"With all the amazing freshman athletes that compete in the ACC each year, being selected as the best of the best is more than impressive," said head coach Alonzo Webb. "To be noticed and selected by the head coaches in the ACC as the best female freshman athlete is a testament to her talent, work ethic and competitiveness. I'm really proud of what Sydni has accomplished so far and is so deserving of this award among many other deserving athletes."
Townsend becomes the first Pitt athlete in program history to earn an ACC postseason award, Freshman of the Year, after a strong season that culminated with Second Team All-American honors in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, TX.
The Philadelphia, PA native made her debut at the NCAA Outdoor Championships just over a week ago and had an impressive showing as she was able to post the 14th best time in the 400m hurdles semifinal to become an All-American for the first time in her career. With the Second Team All-America honors, Townsend became the first Pitt female hurdler since Julianna Reed in 2006 to earn Outdoor All-American honors as she crossed the line in 57.92 seconds, the third best finish among all freshman in the event.
"Sydni is setting a standard for our team that I'm certain will only help us to continue to grow," stated Webb. "What sets her apart is that she doesn't compete like a freshman, she competes like a division I athlete, which is what I ask of all of our first-year athletes."
Townsend wraps up her first collegiate season for the Panthers with a pair of Second Team All-ACC Outdoor honors as she was able to collect a fourth place finish in the 400m hurdles and a third place finish in the 4x400m relay. She then posted her best 400m hurdles race of her career at the NCAA East prelims as she posted an 11th place finish in 57.86 seconds, the fourth fastest time in the event in program history.
"My journey hasn't been an easy one," said Townsend. "Coming into the season I never thought I would receive this kind of award, but I'm very honored and blessed to be noticed for all the hard work I've put in. I would like to thank my coaches, my parents, my siblings and friends as without them, this process would be impossible."
The freshman sensation has another competition lined up before her first season officially comes to an end as she will be competing in the USATF U20 competition in Miramar, FL from June 21-23. If she can secure a top two finish in the 400m hurdles at the meet, she will represent the USA in the Pan American U-20 Championship meet in San Jose, Costa Rica from July 19-21.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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