Plasencia Named Big Ten Coach of the Year

University of Minnesota head men's track and field coach Steve Plasencia is the Big Ten Conference's outdoor track and field Coach of the Year.

The conference announced its annual award-winners yesterday.

Plasencia (pictured) led his Golden Gophers to a second-straight Big Ten outdoor championship last weekend. The Gophers have now won the last two indoor and outdoor titles in the Big Ten.

“I’m honored to receive this award, but it’s so much more of a reflection of this team than anything else,” Plasencia said in a U of M media release. “I share this award with an outstanding staff of coaches and obviously a wonderful group of student-athletes.”

The conference also recognized its event champions as All-Big Ten First Team honorees. Three Gopher men won Big Ten individual event titles last weekend: Micah Hegerle (hammer), Ben Peterson (pole vault) and R.J. McGinnis (decathlon).

Conference runners-up were tabbed All-Big Ten Second Team honorees. Gopher men honored on this squad were Chris Rombough (5,000 and 10,000 meters), Raymond Blackledge (triple jump) and Trey Davis (shot put).

Women's All-Big Ten First Team honors for the Gophers went to Megan Duwell (10,000 meters), DeAnne Hahn (hammer) and Todea-Kay Willis.

All-Big Ten Second Team honorees were Gabriele Anderson (800 and 1,500 meters), Amy Laskowske (10,000 meters) and Kylie Peterson (100 meters).

Read the full media releases on the subject HERE (men) and HERE (women).

Photo courtesy of the U of M.