Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Track Announces Signing Of Thrower
05/14/2002 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
May 14, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University women's track and field coach Connie Price-Smith recently announced the signing of standout prep thrower Megan Cenkush to an athletic scholarship to compete for the Salukis in 2003.
A native of Mishawaka, Ind., Cenkush finished second in the state in the shot put with a throw of 42 feet, 10 1/2 inches for Mishawaka High School in 2001, and was also 24th in the discus with a throw of 116 feet. Cenkush was also a volleyball standout and has great upside in track and field.
"I think that Megan has a lot of potential,'' said Price-Smith. " She has good size, is athletic, and I think that she has a chance to become an outstanding collegiate thrower.''
"Megan's best years of track are ahead of her,'' said Cenkush's high school coach Tracy Negysi. "With her height and athleticism, I feel that she has a lot of improvement ahead of her. I see her as a thrower that can be versatile in different events.''
Standing at 6-foot-1, Cenkush helped lead her volleyball team to the state tournament in 1999 and 2000. She only recently has began to concentrate solely on track and field.
"This season is the first season that she is fully committed to track,'' said Negysi. "In the past, she focussed more on volleyball - even during track season. I am excited to see how she does concentrating only on track.''
Cenkush has improved her career best marks to a school-record 42 feet, 11 inches in the shot put and 128 feet in the discus during her senior season at MHS, and is also excelling in the classroom, where her 3.6 grade-point-average ranks 32nd out of 294 students.
"Megan is also a good student,'' said Negysi. "This helps her learn quickly in the throwing ring.''
