June 23, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman Dwight Webley was recognized for his outstanding debut season with the George Mason men's track and field team on Monday, as the Colonial Athletic Association named the Kingston, Jamaica, native its 2008 Rookie of the Year. Webley is the second straight Patriot to win the award, as sophomore Michael Pachella earned it last year.

Webley won the long jump at the CAA Championship with a leap of 23-10 (7.26m) and placed second in the triple jump with a jump of 49-7 (15.11m). He placed 16th at the NCAA East Regional with a 23-6¼ (7.17m) leap in the long jump and finished 26th in the triple jump with a jump of 48-1¼ (14.66m). At the Penn Relays, he set his personal best in the long jump with a jump of 24-6(7.50m).

Last year, Pachella earned the award after excelling in the 800-meter run in his first season donning the Green and Gold. All together, five Patriots have received the honor.

Also receiving honors were Georgia State's Mark Steeds and UNC Wilmington's Jim Sprecher, who were named the conference's Athlete and Coach of the Year, respectively. On the women's side, William and Mary swept the awards with Emily Anderson, Betsy Graney and Kathy Newberry earning top honors as athlete, rookie and coach of the year.

The award was selected by a vote of the league's head coaches and takes into account an athlete's accomplishments during the outdoor season, during which the CAA holds its championship meet in track and field.