FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is the 2013 recipient of a trophy bearing the name of the man who built the program into a national track & field power.
The Razorbacks won the fifth annual John McDonnell Award on Tuesday, given to the nation's top track & field and cross country program. It is the first time Arkansas has won the award, given by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and named for its longtime coach who won 40 national championships.
“To win this award with Coach McDonnell’s name on it really means a lot to this team,” Arkansas coach Chris Bucknam said. “This group of athletes has had a great year. I’m proud of them and the staff for the way they have prepared and competed all season. It’s a long year, starting back in August with the start of cross country and going into the summer with track and field. It’s a tribute to the team and staff to remain focused for that length of time and to be successful at the highest level.”
For the second consecutive year the Razorbacks won the Southeastern Conference triple crown, sweeping conference meets in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field. Arkansas also won the NCAA indoor title and finished top 10 at national meets in the other two sports.
Bucknam was named SEC coach of the year in all three sports and national coach of the year by the USTFCCCA during the indoor season. The USTFCCCA also tabbed Razorbacks jump coach Travis Geopfert assistant of the year indoors.
The Razorbacks edged out Wisconsin and Oregon for the McDonnell Award. Florida State had won the previous two years.