The 2012-13 OVC Indoor Track and Field season was another strong and competitive season for all of the athletes.
The Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Year were voted on by the conference coaches, and represent four of the member institutions. The Female and Male Track Athletes of the Year Awards were earned by
Chantelle Grey of Austin Peay and
Soufiane Bouchikhi of Eastern Kentucky. The Female of Field Athlete of the Year Award goes to
Jade Riedbold of Eastern Illinois, and the Male Field Athlete of the Year goes to
Reggie Miller, Jr. of Southeast Missouri.
Mads Taersboel and
Viivi Rantanen have earned OVC Freshman of the Year honors. Both athletes are from Eastern Kentucky.
Chantelle Grey ran an OVC Best in the 800m with a time of 2:07.69 this season, while also competing in the 600m 4x400m relay, and the distance medley. Grey was named adidas® OVC Female Indoor Track Athlete of the Week on January 15 for her performance in the Ed Temple Invitational at Tennessee State.
Soufiane Bouchikhi earns his second straight OVC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Honors for his performance in the distance races. Bouchikhi competed in the mile, 3000m, and 5000m this season. He ran an OVC best in the 3000m with a time of 7:57.93, and an OVC best in the 5000m with a time of 13:48.47. Bouchikhi also earned 3 adidas® OVC Male Indoor Track Athlete of the week awards this season.
Jade Riebold has been consistent all season as she earns her recognition from competing in the pole vault. Reibold cleared a height of 13’11” in the EIU Friday Night Special, which was an OVC best this season. She will attempt to set a new best as she competes in the OVC Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend.
Reggie Miller, Jr. earned his OVC Male Field Athlete of the Year award competing in the high jump, triple jump and long jump. Miller holds the OVC best for the season in the high jump with a height of 7’0.25”, and the triple jump with a distance of 48’8.75”, which is nearly a foot longer than the next best. He also earned adidas® OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week twice this season.
Viivi Rantanen came onto the scene competing for Eastern Kentucky in the mile and 3000m. She posted the best time in the OVC for a freshman in the 3000m, which was good enough for the third best time overall.
Mads Taersboel, also competing for Eastern Kentucky, ran an OVC best in the mile as a freshman with a time of 4:05.31 at the Kentucky Rod McCravy Memorial Meet. Taersboel also earned adidas® OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week once this season.
The OVC Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held this weekend, Feb. 22-23 at the Lantz Fieldhouse on the campus of Eastern Illinois. Eastern Illinois will look to defend their championship in both the men’s and women’s competitions for the fourth year in a row.
2013 Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Year
Male Track Athlete of the Year: Soufiane Bouchikhi, Eastern Kentucky
Female Track Athlete of the Year: Chantelle Grey, Austin Peay
Male Field Athlete of the Year: Reggie Miller, Jr. Southeast Missouri
Female Field Athlete of the Year: Jade Riebold, Eastern Illinois
Male Freshman of the Year: Mads Taersboel, Eastern Kentucky
Female Freshman of the Year: Viivi Rantanen, Eastern Kentucky