June 5, 2003

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's track and field standout Perdita Felicien was named the Mondo Mideast Regional Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year by the the U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association Thursday.

Her award comes after her stellar performance last weekend at the Mideast Regional Track and Field Championships in Columbus, Ohio, where she won the 100 meter hurdle title and anchored the Illinois 4x100 meter relay to a fourth-place finish.

Regional Athlete of the Year status also makes Felicien one of five finalists for National Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year accolades from the U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association. Felicien earned National Track and Field Athlete of the Year honors during the 2001 season.

The National Athlete of-the-Year award will be selected following next weekend's NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., where Felicien will be attempting to win her second national title in the 100 meter hurdles and third career national title overall.

District Athlete of the Year Award Winners:

District            Athlete (University)
EAST                Tiffany Ross (South Carolina)
MIDEAST             Perdita Felicien (Illinois)
MIDWEST             Tie - Becky Breisch and Ineta Radevica (Nebraska)
WEST                Becky Holliday (Oregon)