Michigan's Willis And Porter Honored, While Wisconsin's Nuttycombe Named Coach Of The Year

March 3, 2004

PARK RIDGE, IL - Michigan distance runner Nick Willis was named today as the Big Ten Conference Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Championships in a vote of League coaches. Teammate Jeff Porter earned Freshman of the Year honors, while Wisconsin mentor Ed Nuttycombe was named the League's Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

Willis set a Big Ten Championships record en route to winning the 3,000-meter run (7:57.10) and also claimed the mile crown with a time of 4:04.47. The sophomore has been recognized by the League before, earning Freshman of the Year honors last season. Nationally this year, Willis holds the fastest mile time in Division I, with a 3:56.55 time set on February 7 and the second-fastest time in the 3,000-meter with a mark of 7:44.90. The last time a Wolverine was named both the Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Championships was in 1998 when Kevin Sullivan set the Championships mile record with a time of 4:00.56.

The Wolverines' Jeff Porter was named the League's Freshman of the Year after claiming the 60-meter high hurdles crown with a time of 7.82. His Big Ten honor marks the third straight year that a Michigan freshman has earned the Conference's award as Nate Brannen earned the award in 2002 and Nick Willis won last year. It is the fifth time a Wolverine has been selected for this laurel. Michigan finished third at this year's Big Ten Championships, their highest finish since 1995 when they also came in third.

Wisconsin's Ed Nuttycombe claimed his sixth Conference Coach of the Year honor after leading his Badgers to their 18th all-time Big Ten Championship and fourth in five years. Nuttycombe was also chosen for this accolade in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2003.