Nov. 7, 2011
Greg Hansen's Column
TUCSON - The University of Arizona inducted nine former student-athletes and coaches into the school's Hall of Fame on Friday. Swimmer Simon Burnett, former swimming head coach Frank Busch, swimmer Lyndon Ferns, volleyball player Kim Glass, baseball player Trevor Hoffman, softball player Alicia Hollowell, women's basketball player Shawntinice Polk, swimmer Marshi Smith and runner Robert Cheseret are the members are this season's class.
Cheseret is one of Arizona's most decorated runners with numerous conference and NCAA titles to his credit. In 2005, Cheseret became just the second Wildcat to win back-to-back Pac-10 Cross Country Conference titles. In 2004 and 2005, he was named the Pac-10 Cross Country Runner of the Year. At the NCAA Cross Country Championships, he earned top-10 finishes and All-America honors in his three seasons of competition.
On the track, Cheseret earned six All-America honors, three indoors and three out. He was an eight-time Pac-10 Champion in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, including three-straight titles in the 5K and 10K during the 2004-06 seasons. During the 2006 season, he won three individual Pac-10 titles. He is the Pac-10's only three-time Track Athlete of the Year.
At the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, he won the 5,000-meter crown in 2004 and the 10,000-meter title in 2005. In 2005, he set the No. 3 Pac-10 all-time clocking of 13:13.23 in the outdoor 5,000 meters. He also remains the Arizona school record holder in the indoor 3,000 meters and outdoor 5,000 meters.
Former student-athletes become eligible for the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction five years after completing their athletics eligibility. Championship teams are eligible immediately following the exemplary season. Selection is based upon the candidate meeting one or more of the following criteria: First team All-America, NCAA champion, world record setter, Olympic medalist, NCAA statistical leader, professional athletic success, distinguished him/herself as a "pioneer" student-athlete or significant contributor to UA Athletics while at the University or after graduation.
