FLUSHING, N.Y. (Mar. 17, 2022) – The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) has announced its award winners for the 2021-22 men’s indoor track and field season.
 
CCNY’s Habibu Gado was named the league’s Track Performer of the Year, while Lehman’s Kuron Williams was voted Field Performer of the Year. In addition, Lightning freshman Obinna Njoku II was selected Rookie of the Year, while CCNY’s Demetrius Murray was named Coach of the Year.
 
Track Performer of the Year: Habibu Gado, So, CCNY
After being named Rookie of the Year following the 2019-20 campaign, Gado had a strong sophomore season. At the championship meet, Gado, a three-time Track Athlete of the Week honoree, earned four medals, including gold medal efforts in the 400-meter dash, high jump, long jump and 4x400m relay. The sophomore also took home silver in the 200m. For his performance, he was named the meet’s Most Valuable Performer for a second straight season.
 
Most importantly, Gado’s performance led CCNY to an unprecedented 11^th straight conference championship.
 
Field Performer of the Year: Kuron Williams, Sr, Lehman
Williams has been one of the league’s premiere throwers all season long. A three-time Field Athlete of the Week recipient, he owns the conference’s top marks in the weight throw and ranks No. 2 in the shot put. At the indoor championship, Williams earned gold in the weight throw for a second straight season and silver in the shot put.

"It is an honor being awarded Field Athlete of Year for the second time," said Williams. "I would first like to thank my coaches and teammates because without the motivation and constant push, I wouldn’t be able to compete how I did. We faced several obstacles this return from year,  but we stayed Lehman strong and thrived to be consistent; actively working on perfecting our technique. This award is a reminder of why we do what we do."
 
Rookie of the Year: Obinna Njoku II, Fr, Lehman
In his first season at Lehman, Njoku II asserted himself as one of the top performers in the conference. At the league championships, the three-time Rookie of the Week honoree scored in five events, reaching the podium in the 4x400-meter relay with a third-place finish.

"This season, we aimed to reach the pinnacle. To check off all the boxes, we made adjustments to various factors. Our efforts have been rewarded with ”rookie of the week.” However, we have only just begun. I appreciate and commend Coach Hugh for his outstanding job of preparing our team with the tools and strategies necessary for navigating this process. To my teammates, congratulations, together, this ”rookie of the week” attests to our effort together as a team. To my competitors who fought for the title, your efforts are commendable.
As we move forward, a job half done is a job not done at all. The season demands more of us."
 
Coach of the Year: Demetrius Murray, CCNY
Murray earns Coach of the Year recognition after leading the Beavers to an unprecedented 11^th consecutive CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track & Field title.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field Awards
Track Performer of the Year: Habibu Gado, CCNY
Field Performer of the Year: Kuron Williams, Lehman
Rookie of the Year: Obinna Njoku II, Lehman
Coach of the Year: Demetrius Murray, CCNY
Sportsmanship Award: Keyshawn Peterson, Lehman
Sportsmanship Team: Adam Tarsia (CCNY), Elias Garcia (Hunter), Andrew George (York)
 
Men’s Indoor Track & Field All-Stars
Temitope Adegbenro, CCNY
Kyle Byron, CCNY
Jules Day, CCNY
Christian Rasmussen, CCNY
Will Smith, CCNY
Brian Guillermo, Hunter
Matthew Lau, Hunter
Robert Novo, Hunter
Kemar Anderson, Lehman
Ismael Barry, Lehman
Kenneth Davis, Lehman
Jesusalberto Fernandez, Lehman
Tran Hennessy, Lehman
Keyshawn Peterson, Lehman
Brandon Belle, Medgar Evers
Brendan Kim, QCC
Michael Oh, QCC
Grant Shorn, QCC
Benjamin Wade, QCC
Tahkwai Wilson-Hill, QCC
Andrew George, York
Ryan Lahens, York
Shevon Walker, York
Hakeem Griffiths, York