OU's Smith Big 12 Coach of the Year

IRVING, Texas Oklahoma's Martin Smith was named the 2007 Big 12 Conference Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year by the league office Tuesday.

In just his second year at the University of Oklahoma, Smith vaulted the men's track and field program to the top of the conference by winning the Sooners' first outdoor title in 29 years.

"Our university appreciates what Martin Smith, his coaching staff and the track and field student-athletes have accomplished in such a short period of time," OU director of athletics Joe Castiglione said. "They have elevated the OU name in the track and field realm and instilled in this program a real sense of pride and optimism. This is truly a remarkable turnaround."

Prior to his arrival, the Sooners finished no better than fourth in the Big 12 Conference and averaged a seventh-place result. In the final season before Smith was hired, the OU men finished 10th.

Individually, Kevin Bookout won the Big 12 indoor shot put title, Marcus Pugh ran away with the 100-meter dash crown and Shardae Boutte dominated the triple jump.

“I certainly am grateful for the honor,” Smith said. “Truly, it is a reflection of the commitment and dedication our assistant coaches, student-athletes and support staff have made during the past year to help our program achieve at its highest level.

“I am looking forward to many more positive results for the Oklahoma Sooners' track and field program.”

Smith's revival of the OU track and field programs in such a short period has been nothing less than staggering. The men's and women's teams, mired in mediocrity for the past decade, set several program records during the 2007 season. Both the men's and women's squads scored program best finishes at both the indoor and outdoor conference championships, school records in nine events were rewritten and six women earned All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Last weekend, the OU men won their first regional title.

In 28 years on the Division I level, either as head coach or as an assistant, Smith has been a part of 25 conference championship teams. As a head coach, he was won five national titles.

Texas A&M garnered two conference honors as head coach Pat Henry was named the women's coach of the year and Simone Facey was named the women's outdoor performer of the year. The men's outdoor performer of the year honor went to Scott Sellers of Kansas State. The men's freshman performer of the year honor was shared between Jordan Scott (Kansas) and LeJerald Betters (Baylor). Nichole Jones (Baylor) claimed the freshman of the year title from the female field.

The Sooner track and field teams next compete at the NCAA National Championships in Sacramento, Calif., June 6-9.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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