April 15, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.: April 15, 2008 - Adding yet another honor to her already outstanding resume, senior Shana Cox (Westbury, N.Y.) has been named Big Ten Athlete of the Week, following her double-win afternoon at last weekend's Sun Angel Classic at Arizona State University. Cox clocked season-best and NCAA regional-qualifying times in both the 200- and 400-meters, and also anchored the winning 4x400-meter relay in an impressive showing in Tempe.
Cox opened up the afternoon with a season-best and regional-qualifying 23.67 in the 200-meters, good for fifth-place on the day, and the fastest time in the Big Ten this season. Cox wasn't finished, however, lighting up the invitational section of the 400 with a scorching 52.48 winner. Cox's quarter mile mark is the Big Ten leader, as well as the second-best performance in the NCAA.
Cox would go onto anchor the 4x400 to a season-best and conference-leading 3:32.90. Senior Briene Simmons (Decatur, Ga.) opened up with a 54.9 split, with Dominique Blake (Bronx, N.Y.) providing a 52.3 on the second leg. Sophomore Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) clocked a gutsy 53.1 readout, keeping the Lions within striking distance of the Arizona State team in front of their hometown crowd. Cox took the baton on the anchor, splitting 51.8 and quieting the raucous Sun Devil faithful, and icing the win.
Cox and the Nittany Lions will be back in action this weekend, making the short trip to Lewisburg, Pa., for the Bucknell Team Challenge.