National finalists: Lincoln athletes, coach in running for awards

A pair of Lincoln track and field athletes and one coach are finalists for national awards, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Friday.

Ryan Brown, a junior jumper for the Blue Tigers, is one of three finalists for the Division II Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year Award.

On the women's side, senior sprinter Rene Medley is one of three athletes in the running for the indoor track athlete of the year award.

Lincoln coach Victor Thomas was announced as a finalist for both the men's and women's track and field coach of the year award.

In the final USTFCCCA Division II rankings of the season, the Lincoln men's team was ranked No. 1, while the women were ranked No. 2.

Brown concluded the season with the top marks in the long jump (26 feet, 6 inches) and triple jump (52-1), recording both distances Dec. 13 at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind.

Medley finished her season strong March 1 at the MIAA Championships in Pittsburg, Kan., winning the 60-meter dash in 7.737 seconds and the 200 in 23.57 seconds to end up with the top marks in the country in both events.