University of Massachusets Athletics
Track sprinter Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng earns two individual accolades
February 20, 2002 | Men's Indoor Track
Feb. 20, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. - Junior Kwesi Frimpong-Boateng (Accra, Ghana) was named first team All-Atlantic 10 and WHMP / UMass Athlete of the Week for his performance Feb. 16 at the 2002 Verizon Atlantic 10 Indoor Track and Field Championships held at the University of Rhode Island.
Frimpong-Boateng won the 55M dash for the sixth time this season with a time of 6.34 seconds in the preliminary results. He then set a school record in the finals of 6.30 seconds which ties the A-10 Championship record set during the 1999-2000 school year by Andre Davis of Virginia Tech.
His time of 6.30 seconds in the 55M dash breaks his previous school record set Jan. 19, in the 2002 New England Challenge Cup at the Boston University Armory. Prior to this season Adrian Zullo held the fastest time in the event with a time of 6.40 seconds set during the 1999-2000 season.
Frimpong-Boateng also finished third in the 200M dash with a time of 22.59 seconds garnering UMass 6 points as the Minutemen finished fourth out of seven teams with 123 total points. The Maroon and White got great team balance scoring in all 19 events, setting 20 season-best performances, and utilizing 26 different people to accumulate their team score.
"What a great championship meet performance from Kwesi," said head coach Ken O'Brien. "This is his first season of indoor track, and he is getting better every meet. This honor has not come easy as he suffered a serious hamstring pull at the spring A-10 meet, and a stress fracture over the summer. He has been diligent with his rehab and training, and this achievement is a great reward for his efforts."
Up next for Frimpong-Boateng is the New England Championships held Feb. 22-23, at the Boston University Armory.
The Minutemen begin their outdoor track and field season March 30, at the Sam Howell Invitational held at Princeton, N.J. men's track & field and cross country coach Ken O'Brien will be a guest this Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the weekly UMass Sports Luncheon held at 12 noon. The cost of each buffet lunch is $6.50 per person and is usually held in room 1009 of the Lincoln Campus Center, here on the UMass campus. Call (413) 545-4289 for reservations.
