Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Rutto, Dadzie named C-USA Athletes of the Year
6/17/2016 11:17:00 AM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
IRVING, Texas – Eliud Rutto and Elizabeth Dadzie both have been recognized by Conference USA track & field head coaches as Rutto was named C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Year, while Dadzie was named C-USA Field Athlete of the Year as announced by the conference office.
The awards are for the entire 2015-16 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.
"In both cases they were very competitive and contributed heavily to our program all year, and especially to our outdoor programs," said head coach Dean Hayes.
Rutto, a junior from Eldoret, Kenya was a two-time First-Team All-American in 2016, placing second in the 800 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships and seventh in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was also a member of the Blue Raider men's squad that finished 18th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"Rutto has always been competitive over the years and has a history of doing a great job," said Hayes. "He has earned it and has been selected by Kenya to compete in the Olympic Trials in the 800."
The Kenya native also won the indoor 800 meters and placed second in the mile at the C-USA Indoor Championships, while earning nine top-five finishes during the indoor season.
At the C-USA Outdoor Championships, Rutto won the 800 meter and finished third in the 1,500 meter.
Dadzie, a junior from Kumasi, Ghana, finished 21st at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and earned All-American Honorable Mention accolades.
"Dadzie has done an excellent job in the multi-events and has really done well in the long jump," Hayes stated. "She is scheduled to compete in the Africa Championships this summer."
The Ghana native won the heptathlon and the long jump at the C-USA Outdoor Championships, while being voted C-USA Outdoor Championship Female Field Performer of the Meet.
During the indoor season, Dadzie won the long jump at the C-USA Indoor Championship and placed third in the pentathlon.
"It is a culmination of them working hard and it is great for the other coaches in C-USA to recognize them," said Hayes.
The awards are for the entire 2015-16 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.
"In both cases they were very competitive and contributed heavily to our program all year, and especially to our outdoor programs," said head coach Dean Hayes.
Rutto, a junior from Eldoret, Kenya was a two-time First-Team All-American in 2016, placing second in the 800 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships and seventh in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He was also a member of the Blue Raider men's squad that finished 18th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
"Rutto has always been competitive over the years and has a history of doing a great job," said Hayes. "He has earned it and has been selected by Kenya to compete in the Olympic Trials in the 800."
The Kenya native also won the indoor 800 meters and placed second in the mile at the C-USA Indoor Championships, while earning nine top-five finishes during the indoor season.
At the C-USA Outdoor Championships, Rutto won the 800 meter and finished third in the 1,500 meter.
Dadzie, a junior from Kumasi, Ghana, finished 21st at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and earned All-American Honorable Mention accolades.
"Dadzie has done an excellent job in the multi-events and has really done well in the long jump," Hayes stated. "She is scheduled to compete in the Africa Championships this summer."
The Ghana native won the heptathlon and the long jump at the C-USA Outdoor Championships, while being voted C-USA Outdoor Championship Female Field Performer of the Meet.
During the indoor season, Dadzie won the long jump at the C-USA Indoor Championship and placed third in the pentathlon.
"It is a culmination of them working hard and it is great for the other coaches in C-USA to recognize them," said Hayes.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
XC/Dist.
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