Texas Tech University Athletics
Closse Named Regional Field Athlete of the Year
March 05, 2012 | Track and Field
Kelly Closse was selected as the Women's Mountain Region Athlete of the Year Monday by the USTFCCCA.
March 5, 2012
LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior Kelly Closse has been named the 2012 Mountain Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Closse has had a record-breaking 2012 indoor season, and enters the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend after claiming her second-consecutive Big 12 Indoor Championship in the weight throw. The Les Abymes, France native won the event with a meet record toss of 21.54 meters (70'-8.00").
"What a great honor for Kelly," head coach Wes Kittley said. "She has broken our school record in almost every meet, and now she is the Big 12 championship meet record holder. She is very deserving."
Entering the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Closse ranks No. 3 nationally in the weight throw and No. 13 nationally in the shot put. She owns each of the top-five marks in school history in the weight throw - four of which she set this year.
Closse has garnered five wins in six weight throw competitions this year with her only mishap coming in a second-place finish at the Texas A&M Mondo Challenge on Jan. 28.
In the shot put, she garnered four first place finishes in six meets.
Closse automatically qualified for the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships on Feb. 4 with a throw of 21.56 meters (70'-9.00") at the Red Raider Open.
A transfer from South Plains College, Closse was a five-time NJCAA Champion and six-time NJCAA All-American selection and a recipient of the prestigious Betty Jo. Graber Award which recognizes the top female NJCAA student-athlete of the year.
The 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 9-10 in Nampa, Idaho.
Players Mentioned
