Bucknam Ulrey earn regional awards

November 7, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback men’s cross country head coach Chris Bucknam and junior Dorian Ulrey have been recognized by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association, it was announced on Wednesday.

Bucknam, in his second season at Arkansas, has been named the 2009 NCAA South Central Region Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. He led the Razorbacks to a runner-up finish at the 2009 SEC Championships and a meet win at the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championships, including a 1-2 finish from Ulrey and freshman Solomon Haile.

In 2009, Bucknam’s student-athletes have earned five all-region honors, five All-SEC honors, two were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and three have been named the SEC Runner or Freshman of the week four times.

Ulrey, a native of Port Byron, Ill., has been named the 2009 NCAA South Central Region Men’s Runner of the Year. Ulrey earned a runner-up finish at the 2009 SEC Championships and a race win at the 2009 NCAA South Central Regional Championships.

"This is a great honor for Dorian," Bucknam said. "He is running really well and is smart in his races. He’s as fit as I have ever seen him and he has improved each week. I’m excited to see what Dorian and our team can do at the NCAA Championships on Monday."

Ulrey, running in his first regional cross country meet since the 2007 season, picked up his first cross country win as a Razorback in Waco this weekend. Ulrey paced two of his teammates to top seven finishes, three Razorbacks to top 16 finishes and all five scorers to top 22 spots. He earned all-region honors and has not finished outside of the top four in a race this season. To date, only four runners have crossed the finish line ahead of him this season.

The Razorbacks will compete next Mon., Nov. 23 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, in Terre Haute, Ind. This season’s championships races, at 11:08 and 11:58 a.m. CST, will air live on Versus and at NCAA.com. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com or NCAA.com.