Indiana University Athletics
Veatch Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year
11/1/2016 2:42:00 PM | Cross Country
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Ben Veatch crossed eighth in the Big Ten Championships on Sunday to earn Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. Today, Veatch was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
"I am thrilled for Ben and extremely proud of his performances all year capped off with an outstanding Big Ten Championship run," said head coach Ron Helmer. "It is rare that a true freshman can manage the transition to Division I training as well as the extraordinary challenges of high level championship racing as well as he did which indicates his career moving forward has the potential to be very special."
Ben joins elite Hoosier company with this accolade. He becomes the fourth IU runner to be named Freshman of the Year. Bob Kennedy, four-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, was the first to do so in 1988. Kennedy went on to be a 10-time All-American, a four-time individual National Champion and an Olympian. Marius Bakken was Freshman of the Year in 1997. John Jefferson earned the prestigious honor in 2002. He later went on to earn All-American status is 2003.
Veatch, the unanimous choice, was a highly-touted recruit coming out of Carmel High School. As a senior he won the State Championship in the 1600m, 3200m and cross country. He finished second at the Nike Cross Nationals and third at the Foot Locker Nationals. He was ranked as the number three distance recruit coming out of high school.
"I am thrilled for Ben and extremely proud of his performances all year capped off with an outstanding Big Ten Championship run," said head coach Ron Helmer. "It is rare that a true freshman can manage the transition to Division I training as well as the extraordinary challenges of high level championship racing as well as he did which indicates his career moving forward has the potential to be very special."
Ben joins elite Hoosier company with this accolade. He becomes the fourth IU runner to be named Freshman of the Year. Bob Kennedy, four-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, was the first to do so in 1988. Kennedy went on to be a 10-time All-American, a four-time individual National Champion and an Olympian. Marius Bakken was Freshman of the Year in 1997. John Jefferson earned the prestigious honor in 2002. He later went on to earn All-American status is 2003.
Veatch, the unanimous choice, was a highly-touted recruit coming out of Carmel High School. As a senior he won the State Championship in the 1600m, 3200m and cross country. He finished second at the Nike Cross Nationals and third at the Foot Locker Nationals. He was ranked as the number three distance recruit coming out of high school.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
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