SAN RAMON, Calif. – Monisha Lewis of the No. 9 San Francisco State track & field team has been named the CCAA Track & Field Athlete of the Year, the conference announced this morning. She becomes the first honoree in program history.
 
"Monisha had a very long and difficult road to achieve her success, but her determination and commitment has paid off," said Head Coach Kendra Reimer. "She is a leader and role model to the other women on the team. We are so proud of everything Monisha has accomplished this year. "

Lewis made an instant impact for the Gators in her first season at SF State. The All-American broke the program record in her second race of the season in the 100m hurdles with a 13.53 as she took first place at the Cal Poly Invitational, a mark which is also the sixth-fastest time in the nation. Lewis put together 11 top-five finishes during the regular season this year, and carried her dominance over into the CCAA Championships where she took gold in the 100m hurdles as she tied the program record and took home Newcomer of the Meet honors. 
 
In the preliminary round of the 100m dash at the CCAA Championships, Lewis ran the second-fastest time in Gator history with an 11.82. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Lewis broke the program record again with a 13.49 in the 100m hurdles, sending her to the finals where she ran a 13.41w to take second place. The Rancho Cucamonga, California native became the first All-American in the event since Jessica Johnson in 1991 in program history.