Track Hog Nkosinza Balumbu Earns Regional Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas jumper Nkosinza Balumbu was named the South Central Region Field Athlete of the indoor season, it was announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday.

In each of the country’s nine regions, the USTFCCCA selects the top men’s and women’s track athlete, field athlete, head coach and assistant coach for the 2008 NCAA Division I indoor season.

“This is an exciting honor for Nkosinza and he deserves it,” field events coach Dick Booth said. “He has worked really hard all season and hopefully, he’ll end the season with a great showing at the NCAA Championships.”

Balumbu won his fourth SEC triple jump title and earned his fifth All-SEC honor at the 2008 SEC Indoor Championships. This season he set personal bests in the long and triple jumps. He has two automatic-qualifying marks in the triple jump and his season best (53-5.75) ranks third in the nation and first in the SEC.

Prior to the SEC Championships, he led the conference by more than two feet. A five-time NCAA qualifier, he has not finished outside of the top five in any of his triple jump competitions this season.

The NCAA Championships, held at the Randal Tyson Track Center, will begin Friday, March 14. The NCAA will release the accepted entries list for the NCAA Championships Monday evening. Balumbu, with his automatic-qualifying mark, will compete in the triple jump at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Check www.hogwired.com for latest in Arkansas Track and Field.