| April 13, 2004 |
UTSA's LeRoy Hurd and Leticia Cerna named All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year
SAN ANTONIO - UTSA seniors LeRoy Hurd of the men's basketball team and Leticia Cerna of the women's track and field and cross country teams, have been named All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Nominated by UTSA strength and conditioning coach Michael Cox, both Cerna and Hurd received the award for their dedication to strength training and conditioning.
Hurd is coming off of a season that saw him win every award imaginable. The 6-7 forward from Moss Point, Miss., led the Southland Conference (SLC) in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 19.4 points per game. Named SLC Player of the Year and SLC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Hurd led the Roadrunners to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Stanford.
Selected by the Associated Press as an honorable mention all-American, Hurd was selected to play in the NABC Collegiate All-Star Game which was held on April 2 at the SBC Center in San Antonio. Last week he received the University Life Award for the best male intercollegiate athlete at UTSA in 2004.
"Duke (Hurd) is a man that leads by example," said Cox of Hurd, who bench presses 285 pounds, squats 300 pounds and has vertical jump of 35 inches. "He is a charismatic leader that draws other athletes to him. He has taken his commitment to excellence, strong work ethic, and unyielding standards, and raised the bar for his team and the entire athletic department. For Duke, the leadership role is not a burden, it is a honor."
Cerna, one of the most decorated track and field and cross country performers in UTSA history, has earned 11 all-SLC honors in individual events and team relays during her career. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Cerna has qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the 1,500 meters, 3,000m steeplechase and 4x400-meter relay.
"Leticia is the most dedicated female student-athlete I have ever coached," said Cox of the 5-3 Cerna, who bench presses 130 pounds, squats 185 pounds, and has a vertical leap of 21 inches. "She has raised her level of performance higher and reset the standard for every athlete here -- both male and female. Her competitive drive has brought her teammates and peers to a higher level of expectations and achievement."
The 2004 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes are recognized for their athletic accomplishments, academic and personal achievements, community involvement and leadership qualities. This year, 184 athletes from 84 college and universities from across the country in 19 competitive sport categories were acknowledged for their passion and hard work in and out of the weight room.