Spriggs named USTFCCCA National Male Track Athlete of the Year

NEW ORLEANS – Just five days after capturing the NCAA national title in the 55-meter dash and just two days after being named an All-American for his efforts, senior sprinter Delannie Spriggs (Owings, Md.) can add another honor to his growing list of accolades as he was named the National Male Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA (United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) on Thursday.

Spriggs’ times continually improved throughout his quest to the title as he first posted a 55-meter dash time of 6.26 seconds in the preliminary heat, the season’s fastest in Division III at the time, to qualify for the finals at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. But Spriggs wasn’t done yet. In the final, he posted a record-breaking time of 6.20 seconds in the 55-meter dash to take home Salisbury’s first-ever individual national indoor title. That time also bested the previous fastest Division III season time of 6.26, his own mark, and broke a meet record which had stood for 11 years.

For his outstanding performance Spriggs, along with fellow teammate Brandon Fugett (Randallstown, Md.), a senior thrower, were both named All-Americans by the USTFCCCA; Fugett, who also competed in the NCAA championships, placed fifth in the men's shot put. Throughout his career, Spriggs has been named either an indoor or outdoor All-American five times.

Both athletes will now rejoin their teammates to begin their outdoor season, which began for the rest of the team back on March 6 as the Sea Gulls hosted the Salisbury University Spring Classic. Salisbury will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., on March 19-20 to compete in the Wake Forest Invitational.