EIU Award Winner List
 
Eastern Illinois men's track & field jumper Abraham Johnson has been named the EIU Male Newcomer of the Year after capping his freshman season with the Panthers last Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
 
Johnson placed ninth in the nation in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships which earned the freshman USTFCCCA All-America honors.  He advanced to the finals on his second prelim jump which covered 52'4.25, that jump ended up being his best mark of the NCAA championship meet.
 
Johnson had qualified for the NCAA National Championships at the NCAA West Regional posting a career best mark of 52'10" which ranked as the third best jump in school history.  He was the OVC champion in the triple jump during the outdoor season.
 
During the indoor season Johnson was named the OVC co-Freshman of the Year as he won the triple jump at the OVC Indoor Championships.  His season best indoor jump covered 51'2.25" which ranked as the second best jump in school history.

Johnson was one of three candidates for the award this year joining Tyler Kapraun (baseball) and Cole Jaworski (golf).
 
EIU will continue the release of its end-of-year awards this week with the Male & Female Athlete of the Year set for Tuesday & Wednesday and the Male & Female Athletic Director's Award set for Thursday and Friday.