Kytrackxc.com has presented the following awards to the top performers for the 2005 Kentucky Track season. These awards are based on the results from the season as a whole not just the state meet. The awards are for all classes and include Distance Runner of the Year, Sprinter of the Year, and Field Event Athlete of the Year. Congratulations to these athletes for their outstanding performances this track season.
Girls
Distance Runner of the Year - Kortni Dukes (Scott). Dukes, a junior, had a great season, capped off with state titles in the 1600 and 3200. She ran a best time of 5:06.48 in the 1600 at the state meet on June 4, 2005. Her best time in the 3200 was a 11:19.1 ran at the Red Dog Memorial Track Meet on May 17, 2005. Kortni was highly ranked in the 800, 1600, and 3200 the majority of the season.
Field Events Athlete of the Year - Sharika Smith (Fulton County). Smith, a freshman, had a dominating year in several events this past track season. She won the state title in the triple jump with a jump of 39-00, breaking the previous state record by 10 inches. She also had the best long jump in the state during the season, going 17-11. Additionally, she won the state title in the 200 this season.
Sprinter of the Year - Heather Hammond (Rockcastle County). Hammond, a senior, won the 400 meter dash at state meet for the 4th year in a row with a time of 58.64. She won the 300 hurdles for the 3rd year in a row. As if two titles were not enough, she also won the long jump and was a member of the state champion 1600 meter relay team. Hammond has signed to run at Western Kentucky University next year.
Boys
Distance Runner of the Year - John Hinkle (Shelby County). Hinkle, a senior, was ranked #1 in the 800 and 1600 after regionals. He battled Michael Eaton at state in the 1600, running a best time of 4:20.66 for second place. He ran a time of 1:56.44 in the 800 to win the Region 3 Class AAA title. Hinkle finished third in the 800 at the state meet.
Field Events Athlete of the Year - Joe Tronzo (St. Xavier). Tronzo, a senior, threw a career best of 63-04.50 at state meet. At state, he broke the previous AAA class record of 58-06. He then proceeded to break his record three more times. He came within four feet of the overall state record.
Sprinter of the Year - Tim Duncan (Covington Catholic). Duncan, a senior, won the 110 high hurdles and the 300 intermediate hurdles at the 2005 state meet. With his victory in the 300 intermediate hurdles, he broke the overall state record with a time of 37.89. He also finished 4th in the long jump and was on the 3rd place 1600 relay team.