May 2, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio-Eight Ohio student-athletes have been named All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) announced this spring. They were:

Torrie Albini (field hockey)

"Torrie is an exceptional athlete who possesses strength, power and speed as she owns the team's power clean, bench press and 40-yard record," said Ohio Director of Strength and Conditioning Sonny Sano.

Stephanie Blackburn (volleyball)

"Stephanie had a remarkable career, both on the volleyball court and in the weight room," said Ohio Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning Joe Fondale. "As a senior, Stephanie became the first female athlete to achieve Ultimate Elite Status, Ohio University's highest award for strength and conditioning performance."

Landon Cohen (football)

"Landon has achieved Super Iron Bobcat status after overcoming several serious injuries," said Sano. "He is one of the hardest workers who literally lived in the weight room. His outgoing personality and competitive attitude will be missed in the weight room."

Adam Faires (wrestling)

"Adam is an outstanding person who works extremely hard in the classroom, weight room and on the wrestling mat," said Ohio Assistant Strength Coach Jack Yelton. "Adam won several awards in the weight room and holds the record for pullups at 51 total reps. As a senior, he broke all his personal records on everything we test (bench press, back squat, power clean, pullups, dips and vertical jump).

Lauren Kohn (women's basketball)

"Lauren is the type of person you want to lead your team," said Yelton. "She has the strength and speed to play in the WNBA. If I had a daughter, I would want her to be like Lauren Kohn."

Kalvin McRae (football)

"Kalvin achieved Super Iron Bobcat status in the weight room in his senior year and was a three-time clean and jerk competition winner," said Sano. "He is such a great worker on and off the field and even a greater person outside of football. His presence will be missed."

Mallory Rico (swimming/diving)

"Mallory has come a long way in the past four years," said Ohio's Mike Shelby. "Since her freshman year, she has increased her squad max by 80 pounds and bench by over 30. She has gone from not being able to perform a pullup or dip, to holding the team record in both exercises. She holds the team record for dips (40), pull ups (25) and power clean (130)."

Quintana Ward (women's basketball)

"In the weight room, she set many records including the back squat (261), pullups (26), dips (37) and is qualified as an Elite Athlete, one of the highest honors given by our program," said Yelton. "Quintana is the strongest player, pound for pound, on the team. She is the team's spiritual leader and is the type of person that will do anything for her teammates. She is a true role model and a joy to coach. Quintana will be successful in any endeavor she chooses."

Robert Jursnick, NSCA's Executive Director added, "The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate athletics. These student-athletes attest to this understanding, and are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication."