CHERRY HILL, NJ – Rowan University track athlete Demetrius Rooks was honored at the 108th Annual Philadelphia Sports Writers Association (PSWA) Dinner on Monday, January 30. The banquet was held at the Crowne Plaza.
Rooks (jr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was joined by head coach Bill Fritz and assistant coach Norm Tate. At the 2011 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Rooks anchored Rowan’s 4x400 meter relay that won the national championship with a time of 3:11.45. He finished second in 400 meter hurdles in 51.98. Rooks earned All-America honors in both events. Rooks received New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Conference first team honors after taking first place in the 400 meters (48.19), 400 meter hurdles (52.63) and on the 4x400 meter relay (3:15.14) at the conference championships. He was selected the NJAC Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the meet. During the season, Rooks was chosen the NJAC Track Athlete of the Week five times.
At the 2011 NJAC Indoor Track Championships, Rooks captured second place in the 400 meters with a time of 49.56 for All-Conference second team honors. He collected All-Conference first team honors as a member of the winning 4x400 meter relay in 3:22.28. Rooks posted a season best time of 49.34 in the 400 meters at the Armory Collegiate Challenge.
This year at the Collegeville Classic, he won the 400 meters with a time of 49.91, which is currently the 15th fastest time in the NCAA Division III. Rooks ran the anchor leg of the second place 4x400 meter relay (3:25.37). Rooks was the winner in the 400 meters (49.96) at the Thomson Invitational. He was also part of the first place 4x400 meter relay (3:22.63) that qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships (3:26.50). The Profs have the eighth best time in Division III.
The award winners at the PSWA Dinner included: Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux, Outstanding Philadelphia Pro Athlete; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence, Good Guy Athlete Award; San Francisco Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, Native Son Award; Villanova University cross country/track and field athlete Sheila Reid, Outstanding Amateur Athlete; Philadelphia University men’s basketball coach Herb Magee, Living Legend Award; Philadelphia Phillies, accepted by general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Team of the Year; Villanova University football coach Andy Talley, Humanitarian Award; University of Virginia cross country/track and field athlete Robby Andrews, Penn Relays Frank Dolson Award; Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, Special Achievement Award; Philadelphia Union midfielder Sebastien Le Toux, Special Achievement Award; WNBA Coach of the Year Cheryl Reeve, Special Achievement Award; former Widener University football coach Bill Manlove, Special Achievement Award and Villanova University women’s basketball coach Harry Perretta, Special Achievement Award.
