KU freshman sprinter Diamond Dixon honored

Kansas University sprinter Diamond Dixon was named the 2011 Big 12 Female Outstanding Freshman of the Year on Thursday as voted by the league coaches.

El Paso, Texas, native Dixon won the Big 12 Outdoor 400 title by edging three-time champion Jessica Beard of Texas A&M. Dixon had a school-record time of 51.55.

“Diamond put on a great performance,” said KU track coach Stanley Redwine. “She is well deserving of this award. There are a lot of really great freshmen in the Big 12 this season so she should feel extremely honored.”