January 3, 2006

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech senior track and field athlete, Spyridon Jullien, was named Eastern Track Athlete of the Year for 2005.

Jullien (Athens, Greece) won Tech's first two national championships in 2005. The first of his championships came in the weight throw with a mark of 23.18m (76'0.75") during the indoor season.

The second national championship Jullien won in 2005 came during the outdoor season in the hammer throw. At the NCAA Championships, he won the title with a throw of 70.43m (231'1").

In addition to his two NCAA wins, Jullien picked up indoor and outdoor Atlantic Coast Conference titles.

Jullien becomes the first Virginia Tech athlete to win the award that has been given out every year since 1977.

Fellow Hokie Brian Mondschein (Hummelstown, Pa.) was also mentioned as one of the top athletes after finishing second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the pole vault event.