HOUSTON, Texas-Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Arthur Thomas has been crowned the Most Outstanding Male Field Events Athlete at the 2009 Southwestern Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships held on the campus of Texas Southern University.
Thomas finished the meet in first place in the men’s hammer throw (48.24m) and discus (47.91m). He also garnered a fourth place finish in the men’s shot put event (14.38m).
“Arthur competed extremely well at the SWAC Championships,” said UAPB head men’s and women’s track and field coach Curtis Pittman. “His success can be directly attributed to the hard work he has put in during the offseason and over the course of this season. He truly deserves all of the individual accolades he has received.”
Thomas is also a standout member of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions football team where he plays on the Golden Lions defensive line unit.
“It feel’s great to be able to finish in first place in the hammer and discus,” said Thomas. “Last season I didn’t place in the discus so I used that as motivation during the offseason in terms of working harder and improving overall.”
With his first place showings at the SWAC Championships Thomas subsequently qualified to participate in the NCAA Regional Meet set to be held in Louisville, Ky. at the University of Louisville on May 29th.