AuburnTigers.com
    Cory Martin Named 2008 Outdoor Field Scholar-Athlete Of The Year Dunkleberger, Gaines, Knight, Mate and Novack also named to All-Academic Team.
    Cory Martin

    Cory Martin

    Aug. 6, 2008

    AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn's Cory Martin has been named the 2008 Division I Men's Outdoor Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and six Tigers were named to the organization's All-Academic Track and Field Teams, the USTFCCCA announced Wednesday.

    Joining Martin on the men's All-Academic Team were Jacob Dunkleberger, Luke Gaines and Scott Novack. Being named to the women's team were Hollie Knight and Katalin Mate. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event.

    It marked the second national award presented to Martin by the USTFCCCA this year, as he was named the Men's Field Athlete of the Year in June. Martin won two outdoor national championships and owned a 3.33 grade point average while majoring in physical education.

    ""This is a great honor both for Cory and for Auburn University," said Auburn track and field head coach Ralph Spry. "It demonstrates the emphasis we place on both academics and athletics, and Cory is a testament to that. His success both academically and athletically is a result of his hard work and dedication to both areas. Not many people have the work ethic and the determination that he displays on a daily basis."

    Martin won individual national titles in both the hammer throw and shot put during the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa. He became just the second man ever to win titles in both of those events at the same NCAA championship meet, joining Jack Merchant of California in 1922. He also became only the second Auburn athlete to win two national championships at one NCAA meet, joining Harvey Glance (100 and 200 meters, 1976).

     

     

    Martin won both events on his final throws with personal-best marks. He won the hammer throw with a mark of 74.13 meters (243-2) to break his own school record and pass teammate Jacob Dunkleberger, who finished second. He won the shot put with a throw of 20.35 meters (66-9.25), which ranks second-best in Auburn history. His 20 points helped the Auburn men finish tied for second at the NCAA Championships with 44 points.

    Martin was also named the South Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year and the SEC Men's Field Athlete of the Year this season. He won the hammer throw and shot put at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, and won both of those events while placing second in the discus at the SEC Outdoor Championships. His 28 points at the SEC meet earned him the Commissioner's Trophy as the high men's point scorer in the meet.

    Martin, who went undefeated this year in the hammer throw while qualifying for the Olympic Trials, finished his Auburn career with seven SEC titles and eight All-American awards.

    Auburn Tiger Features

    2012 Fan Guide iOS App: FREE Shop
    Louisville Slugger Shop