March 1, 2001

Champaign, IL - University of Illinois freshman hurdler/sprinter Perdita Felicien (Pickering, Ontario/Pine Ridge SS) has been named the 2001 Big Ten Women's Track and Field Indoor Freshman of the Year, the conference office announced. The award was voted on by the conference's track and field head coaches. Felicien earns the honor after a record-breaking indoor season.

Felicien finished second in the 60 meter hurdles at the Big Ten Championships this past weekend, breaking the conference meet record with a sizzling time of 8.00 seconds. That time is the second fastest in the NCAA this season, and ranks ninth on the IAAF world list this year.

"I'm very excited to win this award, and appreciate being recognized by the Big Ten and the coaches in our conference," Felicien said. "It shows that all the hard work Gary (Winckler) and I have done is paying off. Hopefully, I'll represent Illinois and the Big Ten well when I compete at nationals."

Felicien broke the Illinois school record in the hurdles an amazing five times during her first collegiate indoor season. She entered January with a personal best of 8.36 seconds, and in less than two months, shaved her record time down to 8 seconds flat.

"Perdita has had a very impressive season, and it is remarkable the way she has made vast improvements in her time from week to week," Head Coach Gary Winckler said. "She's been our most consistent runner and her focus has been unique. Her mental approach has been very clear all along, and that's the primary reason she has been so successful because it takes more than just talent and athleticism to compete at the national level."

Felicien will chase after the national title in the 60 meter hurdles on Friday, March 9, when the University of Arkansas hosts the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.