ITHACA, N.Y. – At their annual awards banquet on Tuesday evening, the Big Red track and field programs handed out their annual awards and celebrated a terrific 2011-12 season for both squads. The team also announced captains for the 2012-13 season.

The “Jinky” Crozier Award for the most valuable women's track athlete went to junior Katie Kellner, fresh off her 10K victory at the Outdoor Heptagonal Championships over the weekend. Kellner, a tremendous distance runner with multiple victories on the season, was also named a captain for next year. Understandably, Kellner also earned the program's Dr. George Ladas Award, given to the top distance runner on the team.

On the men's side, the Narcissa Kellett Award for the most valuable athlete went to senior co-captain Nick Huber. A fantastic all-around athlete, Huber set the school record in the decathlon last weekend when he claimed the Outdoor Heptagonal championship in that event.

Multiple other seniors were honored with special awards for athletes in their final year. Women's co-captain Melissa Hewitt was given the  Blanford Award for accumulating the most points throughout her career. Fellow co-captain Molly Glantz, who claimed the 110 hurdles title at Outdoor Heps over the weekend, won the Gatling Award given to the senior who has done the most for the program.

Those awards on the men's team were give out to Bob Belden and Steve Wexler, respectively. Belden, a thrower, finished eighth in the shot put and ninth in the discus this weekend at Outdoor Heps. Wexler, a mid-distance runner, broke through in the 400 hurdles as a freshman and contributed to the team throughout the rest of his career.

The Fleet Morse Award, presented to the most improved athletes on each roster, was given out to Emily Shearer on the women's side and Andre Anderson and Peter Roach for the men. Shearer took fourth in the 3K and third in the 1500 at Heps this weekend. Roach, meanwhile, was the pole vault champion, clearing 16' 9 1/2” while Anderson earned the most improved award for the Big Red's track athletes.

Outstanding freshmen from each team were also recognized. Katie Woodford, who was an integral part of multiple Big Red relays throughout the season, earned the Marc Deneault Award. That award on the men's side was given to Stephen Mozia, who took part in the NCAA Indoor Championships. Mozia owns two outdoor freshman records and the school record in the shot put indoors. Mozia also earned the men's Dr. George Ladas Award for best thrower.

Other awards given out included honors for each discipline. Sophomore Ebolutalese Airewele was given the Hank Russell Award for being the team's best sprinter. Senior Janel Parker picked up the Theodata Ladas Award as the team's best mid-distance runner, and junior Ailish Hanly was named the Theodata Ladas Award winner for being the squad's best jumper. Imbesi, meanwhile, claimed the Dr. George Ladas award as Cornell's best thrower, and senior Taylor Baird won the Walker Smith Award for being the Big Red's top hurdler.

Those awards were handed out to the men's team as well. Senior Chase Aaronson, a two-sport star who also plays soccer, earned the Hank Russell Award as Cornell's best sprinter. Freshman Rutger Admirand, who made a sizeable impact early in his Cornell career, claimed the Theodata Ladas Award as the team's best mid-distance runner. The top distance runner accolade, also a Dr. George Ladas Award, went to junior Brett Kelly. Sophomore Montez Blair, who made the Indoor NCAA Championship, earned the Theodata Ladas Award as the team's best jumper. Co-captain Dan Hagberg rounded out the event awards with the Walker Smith Award as the team's top hurdler.

Finally, the Spindler Coaches Award was given out to seniors Kelsey Reimnitz and Jessica Wilson on the women's side, while senior Josh Cusick won that honor for the men.

The evening also included announcements of next year's captains. Both teams will have four athletes leading the way. The women's track team will be headed by seniors Hanly, Imbesi, Kellner and Libby O'Brien. The men will be captained by three seniors and a junior: Andy Arnold, Jedidiah Adarquah-Yiadom, Bob Fielder and junior Peter Roach.

The track season is not over yet. The men and women travel to the Eastern Championships at Princeton this weekend, and the NCAA First Round in Jacksonville, Fla., will be the weekend after that.