May 18, 2009

USTFCCCA Release

NEW ORLEANS . . . For the second time in his career, Buena Vista University track & field athlete Eric Bertelsen (Polk City, Iowa/North Polk) has been recognized as the Division III Central Region Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Bertelsen, a senior, won the long jump in each meet he competed in during the outdoor season, achieving an automatic qualifying mark with his best jump of 24’ 7.25” (7.50m). That leap is also the best mark achieved in all of Division III this season, giving Bertelsen top billing in the event heading into the outdoor championships. Bertelsen scored 32.5 points at the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) outdoor championships to earn Iowa Conference Outdoor Championships MVP honors for the second consecutive year.

Bertelsen was also named Central Region Field Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA for the 2009 indoor season.

The USTFCCCA selects the top track athlete, field athlete, assistant coach and head coach for the eight regions in Division III track and field. Katie Theisen (women's track), James Ewer (men's track), Tim Springfield (men's assistant coach), and Steve Mathre (men's head coach) of St. Thomas (Minn.), Lisa Brown (women's field) and Tom Thorkelson (women's head coach) of Gustavus Adolphus, and Kurt Nielsen of Nebraska Wesleyan (women's assistant coach) were also honored from the Central Region.

 

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