NEW ORLEANS  – The University of South Alabama track and field's head coach, Paul Brueske, was named the Sun Belt Conference Men's Coach of the Year, the league announced Wednesday. 

Brueske is the first coach in school history to receive the honor. He led South Alabama's men's team to its first Sun Belt Conference title in program history. Under his direction, the Jaguars finished the season leading the Sun Belt in four different events. This year, Brueske's coaching led to nine student-athletes receiving all-Sun Belt honors.  

Kirami Yego, Kyle Rademeyer, Chrisitan Ellis, Sebastian Löschner and Francois Prinsloo were named first-team all-Sun Belt Conference for their championship performances at the conference championships. 

Yego won two medals at the championship meet – in the 10000m and 5000m. He broke a facility record in the 10000m that was previously held by Jaguar Hall of Famer Vincent Rono. 

Rademeyer defended his outdoor pole vault title with a 5.33m mark, the sophomore currently holds the fourth-best mark in the NCAA East division. 

Ellis, a senior, claimed his third consecutive Sun Belt triple jump crown while recording a season-best mark (15.58m).

Löschner earned his first Sun Belt title in the shot put while setting a personal record with a 17.63m throw. 

Returning All-American, Prinsloo, won back-to-back SBC discus championships after launching a 54.67m throw in the event. 

Teagan Flanagan and Colette Uys earned second-team all-conference honors for their performances in the 10000m and shot put, respectively. 

Flanagan placed second in the 10000m after stopping the clock at 30:10.95, giving the transfer his first Sun Belt medal. 

Uys recorded a 15.69m throw in the shot put, good for second place at the conference championship. 

Newcomer Giacomo DeLuca (1500m) and junior Josh Estes (javelin) earned third-team all-conference selections. 

DeLuca earned his first Sun Belt Conference outdoor medal in the 1500m after clocking a time of 3:52.07 in the finals. 

Estes broke his personal record with a 66.25m javelin throw and earned the bronze medal in the event. 

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
Join the Finish Line Club, the track and field and cross country specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All donations to the Finish Line Club go directly to support the South Alabama track and field/cross country programs.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/finishlineclub

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