BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Tennessee’s Justin Gatlin was named SEC Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, while South Carolina’s Lashinda Demus claimed the 2002 women’s award as selected by a vote of the league coaches. Demus also claimed the Freshman of the Year award while Bennie Brazell of LSU won male freshman honors.
In addition, Florida’s Doug Brown and LSU’s Pat Henry were named SEC Men’s Co-Coaches of the Year. South Carolina’s Curtis Frye was named Women’s Coach of the Year, also by a vote of the conference head coaches.
Gatlin, a sophomore, was the SEC Champion in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4x100m relays as well as the 2002 NCAA 100m and 200m champion. Gatlin swept the awards during the 2002 season as he was also named the 2002 Indoor Track and Field Male Athlete of the Year.
Demus claims the Freshman and Female Athlete of the Year awards after leading the Gamecocks to SEC and NCAA Championships. The National Championship was the first in any sport for the Gamecocks. Demus was the SEC champion in the 400m and was the NCAA champion in the 400m hurdles. The freshman was also a member of the national champion 4x400m relay team which broke a collegiate and NCAA record in the event with a time of 3:26.46.
Demus also swept the awards during the 2002 season as she was also named the 2002 Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year.
Brazell was a contributor to the Tigers’ fourth track and field national title. Brazell was a member of the SEC and national champion 4x100m relay team. He also was a member of the 4x400m relay team which finished third to clinch LSU’s national title. Brazell also placed second in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA championship.
LSU’s Pat Henry led LSU to the school’s fourth NCAA outdoor track title, first since 1990, and his 23rd national title – the second most by any coach in any sport. Sharing the award with Henry is Florida’s Doug Brown who earns his fourth outdoor coach of the year. The Gator men placed third at the SEC Championship and fourth at the NCAAs.
Curtis Frye led the Gamecocks to the school’s second SEC Championship and earned the school’s first-ever National Championship.
The women’s team claimed the 2002 national title by beating out UCLA and defending champion Southern California. Frye has also been named to the USA Olympic staff where he will coach sprints and hurdlers.
2002 SEC Outdoor Track Award Winners
SEC Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
Justin Gatlin, Tennessee
SEC Female Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
Lashinda Demus, South Carolina
SEC Male Freshman of the Year
Bennie Brazell, LSU
SEC Female Freshman of the Year
Lashinda Demus, South Carolina
Men’s Outdoor Track Co-Coaches of the Year
Pat Henry, LSU; Doug Brown, Florida
Women’s Outdoor Track Coach of the Year
Curtis Frye, South Carolina