Valparaiso's Bartholomew, Youngstown State's Anderson Named Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Year

April 2, 2008

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Valparaiso University senior thrower Steve Bartholomew and Youngstown State University senior thrower Bethany Anderson were selected as the 2008 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Year, the League office announced Wednesday (April 2). The League's head track coaches voted for the athletes after the season was completed.

Anderson earned the award for the second consecutive year. In 2008, the Jamestown, N.Y. native received the Outstanding Field Performer award at the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships after she captured her third consecutive circuit title in the weight throw. Anderson's winning toss of 63 feet, 10.5 inches served as a meet record and an NCAA provisional standard.

Anderson's award adds to an already impressive résumé, which includes the League's Indoor and Outdoor Field Newcomer of the Year in 2005, the circuit's Outdoor Outstanding Field Performer in 2006 and the Indoor Outstanding Field Performer in 2007. The YSU senior also holds the League's Indoor (47 feet, 7.25 inches, 2005) and Outdoor (46 feet, 3.50 inches, 2005) meet records in the shot put.

Bartholomew received the Male Athlete of the Year award following a 2008 campaign which saw him earn the League's Outstanding Field Performer award at the Horizon League Championships. At the League meet, the Valpo senior won the weight throw with a toss of 67 feet, 9.75 inches, that eclipsed the Championships record by more than five feet and served as a NCAA provisional mark.

The Valparaiso, Ind., native closed out the indoor season at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., and finished 16th in the weight throw with a performance of 64 feet, 1.25 inches.

Bartholomew ended the 2008 indoor campaign with seven victories in the weight throw. He also placed in the top ten on nine occasions in the event.

The indoor track and field Athlete of the Year awards were first handed out in 2003.