LEFORD GREEN NAMED 2011 DIVISION II NATIONAL INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

LEFORD GREEN NAMED 2011 DIVISION II NATIONAL INDOOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
 
Green named Athlete of the Year in consecutive seasons
 
March 16, 2011

New Orleans, LA – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announces the National Athletes of the Year for the 2011 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field season. Quarter miler Leford Green of Johnson C. Smith picked up the National Men’s Track Athlete of the Year nod while pole vaulter Ryan Brown won the National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year honor. Three-event national champ Shannon Gagne of New Haven was picked as National Women’s Track Athlete of the Year and Central Missouri multi-eventer Lindsey Lettow earned the title of National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. G
                                      
Green, a senior from St. Catherine, Jamaica, won the NCAA Division II indoor title in the 400-meter dash in 46.38, to notch the second indoor title of his career (2008). In addition, Green anchored the Johnson C. Smith 4x400 squad to their first indoor national title in school history. Earlier this season, Green won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 400-meter title and anchored the team’s 4×400-meter relay to a third-place finish.
 
Earlier this month, Green was honored as the indoor Division II Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year. This is Green’s first time being named track athlete of the year during the indoor season. However, he earned regional and national track athlete of the year during outdoor season in 2010. Green and 13 other Golden Bulls were also awarded the distinction of being members of the 2011 inaugural All-Region team by the USTFCCCA.
 
With indoor season at a conclusion, Johnson C. Smith will begin the outdoor track and field season on March 18th at the UNC-Charlotte 49er Classic in Charlotte, NC.