TicketsMay 2, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa - University of Cincinnati student-athlete Terence Somerville (Akron, Ohio/Buchtel) was named the winner of the Maury White Award for his performance at the 2011 Drake Relays, Drake University Athletics announced on Monday.
Named after the long-time decorated sportswriter for the Des Moines Register who passed away in 1999, the Maury White Award is given to the men's collegiate and open most outstanding performer at the Drake Relays.
"It's truly an honor to be chosen for the Maury White Award and perform in front of that amazing crowd," Somerville said. "I just want to thank all those who have supported me and give thanks for the opportunities to be put in position to do great things."
Somerville, a junior hurdler, lit up the track in Saturday's final of the men's university/college 110-meter hurdles, finishing in a Drake Relays record time of 13.48 seconds. That effort eclipsed the 1987 record of 13.49 seconds by Texas Southern's Vernon George.
His mark is.45 seconds faster than his previous personal best recorded April 10 at the Miami Invitational. Somerville now ranks seventh in the NCAA and is just .06 seconds behind former Bearcat and U.S. Olympian David Payne's school record set in 2004.
Somerville also anchored Cincinnati's victorious 4x110-meter shuttle hurdle team that finished in 57.48 earlier Saturday.
The Cincinnati track and field team will compete at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships Friday through Sunday in Villanova, Pa.