Lexington, (Ky.) ? Matt Fritts and Jimmy Rose, members of the Kentucky baseball team, have both been recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) with its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award. The NSCA, which awarded 186 collegiate athletes from 80 schools with this esteemed award, presents the award in recognition of the athlete?s dedication to strength training and conditioning.

?Matt exhibits great commitment to our strength and conditioning program,? UK strength coach Doug Elisia said. ?He is a senior who takes great pride in training. Matt?s dedication reflects in his numbers, as he has the team?s strongest combined totals in the weight room. He is always one of the first athletes to show up and usually the last to leave. Matt?s positive attitude has helped make those around him more competitive and accountable.?

?Jimmy is the type of athlete every coach wants,? said his strength coach at UK, Evan Simon. ?He works hard at all times, pushing himself and others in the weight room and during conditioning. He?s a leader and the true definition of hard work.?

Robert Jursnick, NSCA?s Executive Director adds, ?The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be denied in collegiate athletics. These student-athletes attest to this understanding, and are to be applauded for their hard work and dediction.?

The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year Award program is in its 21st year, and is made possible by a grant from Power Systems, Inc., a Knoxville, Tenn. fitness production leader. For a complete list of All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes, contact the NSCA at ncsa@nsca-lift.org.

— UK —