Troy State football player Jabar Dunbar and softball player Bridget McInnes have been named the 2001 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Athletes of the Year, as announced by the association earlier this month.

Dunbar, a senior from Thomasville, Ga., finished his second season as a member of the Troy State football squad with 80 yards rushing on 16 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average. His personal best in the bench press is an impressive 425 pounds and is the 15th highest mark among the 64 football honorees. Dunbar stands 5-10 and weighs 190 pounds.

"Pound for pound Jabar (Dunbar) is one of the strongest and fastest players I’ve seen at Troy State," fourth-year Troy State Strength and Conditioning coach Richard Shaugnessy said. "His strength and speed levels are phenomenal."

Dunbar has also been clocked at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

McInnes had one the top bench press figure among the 10 softball award winners with a personal best 185-pound press. The senior first baseman from Webb, Ala., is currently batting .318 and leads the 22-10 Lady Trojan softball team in home runs (5), RBIs (17) and fielding percentage (.993). Her squat mark of 275 pounds was also tops compared to the other softball players. McInnes, who is 5-10, 180 pounds, is majoring in elementary education.

"Bridget (McInnes) is one of our strongest female athletes here at Troy State," Shaugnessy added. "It is a big honor for two athletes from Troy State to be recognized on a national level for their accomplishments in strength and conditioning."

Student-athletes from across the nation were nominated by the strength and conditioning coach at their school. The selections were based on the athlete’s body weight in comparison to their bench press, squat, power clean, vertical jump and 40-yard dash time.

The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes those collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student athletes. Power Systems, Inc. is the official sponsor of this program.

A complete list of the award winners can be found on the NSCA web site at www.nsca.com.