Jenn Stuczynski, Team Nutrilite's own American Record holding, Silver Medal winning pole vaulter has been honored as American Female Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News in its February edition, which is on newsstands now.
From Jeff Diveronica of the Democrat & Chronicle: Stuczynski, who took up the sport only four years ago, was runner-up in Beijing to reigning Olympic champion and world-record holder Yelena Isinbayeva. But Stuczynski broke her own U.S. record twice last year and four times in 14-month span dating to May 2007. She also has won five consecutive U.S. championships indoors and outdoor.
"That gave her distinction," said her coach, Spencerport native Rick Suhr. "We were very surprised, not that Jenn wasn't deserving, but (the honor) usually goes to the biggest name and a lot of times a sprinter."
Six other Americans won Olympic gold in track and field events, Suhr said, so that figured in their surprise over Stuczynski's award. No American male pole vaulter has earned the honor from the magazine, considered the top publication for track and field, in the 49 years of the award, Suhr said, and the only other female winner was Stacy Dragila in 2001.
"She's done in four years what some people won't do in a lifetime," Suhr said.
Congratulations, Jenn, on your fantastic 2008 season and all of your accomplishments both on and off the track.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has made known the names of the 22 athletes competing for the 2007 World Athlete of the Year Awards. (There is one for Male Athlete of the Year, and one for Female Athlete of the Year.) The winners will be announced on November 25th.
Nutrilite-sponsored athletes who made the list are: Asafa Powell, Liu Xiang and Sanya Richards.
Athletes, coaches, federations and journalist will vote, along with the general public, and will have the responsibility of choosing three finalists for each branch, and a jury will be in charge of deciding the winner, who will be announced on November 25th in Monte Carlo.
A handful of world class athletes, including Nutrilite-sponsored athlete Sanya Richards, were selected to share their ambitions, training tips and daily routine with their fans on www.iaaf.org through the IAAF Online Diaries. These diaries help give an insight into the personalities of some of track & field's leading figures.
In Sanya's current diary entry, you can read about:
– Her thoughts on her world championships performances in Osaka, Japan
Nutrilite™ brand powers Sanya Richards, the fastest 400m woman in U.S. history
Nutrilite, the world’s leading brand of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements, is the proud sponsor of elite runner Sanya Richards, the youngest woman ever – at age 20 – to break the elusive 49-second barrier at 400 meters.
Richards was named the World Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 – the same year she became the American Outdoor 400m record holder at 48.70 seconds.
In her 22 years, Richards has made an international name for herself representing the United States around the world in elite track and field events.
– She is a three-time U.S. Outdoor National Champion at 400m.
– She was a Gold Medalist in the 4×400m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
– She is ranked Number One in the world (2006) by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) at 200m and 400m.
– She was undefeated at 400m in 2006.
– In 2005, she won the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, Switzerland, running the 400m in 48.92 seconds – 0.38 hundreds of a second faster than the world and Olympic champion at the time.
Competing everywhere from Stuttgart to Stockholm, and from Indianapolis to Austin, Sanya Richards has distinguished herself as a veteran competitor. “When people believe they can run faster, times just get faster and faster,” she says.Truth is, she doesn’t have to say much – her feet tell the story on tracks around the world.
A 2006 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Richards holds a degree in management information systems. She lettered in basketball in high school, and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.
“Sanya’s dedication to her sport and to winning makes her a natural for Nutrilite products,” says John Dykhouse, Global Brand Manager for Nutrilite. “We take great pride in the fact that Sanya trusts Nutrilite to insure that her nutritional requirements are met during her strenuous training schedule.”
Dykhouse adds, “Sanya is an inspiration to athletes everywhere – and to the rest of us as well. She’s managed to not only excel in athletics and academics. It’s a rare combination that is also a real motivator. We wish her continued success in the coming seasons.”
The Nutrilite brand and Sanya Richards have a lot in common: Both Nutrilite and Richards are on top of their game – and they know the dedication it takes to stay there. Based on 2006 sales, Nutrilite is the world’s leading global brand of vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements – and has held this position for more than five years.
Nutrilite products are sold around the world, through Amway and Quixtar independent business owners.
About Nutrilite
NUTRILITE is the world's leading brand of vitamin, mineral, and dietary supplements, based on 2006 sales. The company is so committed to total quality control of its plant concentrates from seed to tablet, it is the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest, and process plants on its own certified organic farms,* located in California, Washington, Mexico, and Brazil.
*Based on a survey of global vitamin and dietary supplement brands conducted by Euromonitor International.