2021 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2021 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Each of the four regions – Atlantic, Central, Midwest and West – honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.

Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Enock Kimutai – Monroe-New Rochelle (N.Y.)

Kimutai, a freshman from Nairobi, Kenya, is undefeated this season in the 5000 and ranks seventh nationally with his 14:54.04A mark from the Aggie Classic. He is also ranked 17th nationally in the 1500 at 3:58.83.

CENTRAL REGION – Vincent Nchogu – Northwest Kansas Tech

Nchogu, a freshman from Keumbu Kisii, Kenya, is ranked first nationally in the 10,000 at 29:29.51c (30:04.34A) and second nationally in the 5000 at 14:24.97. He also swept the distance titles at the NJCAA Region VI Outdoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Jaheem Hayles – Iowa Central CC

Hayles, a sophomore from Roselle, New Jersey, is ranked first nationally in the 110H at 13.65. He ran that time to win the event title – and break the meet record – and the NJCAA Region XI Outdoor Championships. Hayles is also strong in the 200 and a member of a top-15 4×400 relay squad.

WEST REGION – Khaleb McRae – South Plains (Texas)

McRae, a freshman from Durham, North Carolina, is ranked first nationally in the 400 at 45.82c (45.71A) and sixth nationally in the 400H at 51.78c (51.67A). He is also the anchor leg on the nation’s fastest 4×400 relay at 3:06.97c (3:06.53A).

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Matteo Capello – Vincennes (Ind.)

Capello, a freshman from Turino, Italy, is the NJCAA record holder in the pole vault at 5.50m (18-0½), a mark he established at the Sycamore Open. His name is all over the NJCAA record book, as he owns six of the top-10 all-time marks in the event. 

CENTRAL REGION – Shakwon Coke – Barton (Kan.) CC

Coke, a sophomore from Kingston, Jamaica, is ranked first nationally in both the long jump at 8.16m (26-9¼) and triple jump at a wind-aided 16.70m (54-9½). His best mark in the long jump slots him in as the No. 3 performer in NJCAA history, while his triple jump puts him No. 4 on the all-conditions chart.

MIDWEST REGION – Michael Buchanan – Iowa Western CC

Buchanan, a freshman from Westmoreland, Jamaica, is ranked second nationally in the long jump at 7.70m (25-3¼). He won individual titles in the event at the NJCAA Region XI/ICCAC Outdoor Championships as well as the Drake Relays. 

WEST REGION – Andrei Romanov – New Mexico JC 

Romanov, a freshman from Moscow, Russia, is the collegiate leader in the hammer at 76.48m (250-11), which also happens to be the NJCAA record. He has the 18 best marks on the NJCAA list this season.

Men’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Chris Gafner – Vincennes (Ind.)

Gafner, in his 15th year at Vincennes (Ind.), has his team ranked No. 1 in the Atlantic Region. Seven of his athletes qualified for the NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with five of those athletes ranked in the top-8 in their events.

CENTRAL REGION – David Schenek – Barton (Kan.) CC

Schenek, in his 14th year at Barton (Kan.) CC, has the Cougars ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index. The Cougars won the team title at the NJCAA Region VI Championships with 10 event titles and setting eight facility records.

MIDWEST REGION – Brent Ewing – Indian Hills (Iowa) CC

Ewing, in his third year at Indian Hills (Iowa) CC, guided the Warriors to a third place finish at the NJCAA Region XI Championships while claiming three event crowns. He guided the Warriors to 18 top-5 marks in the Midwest, including eight that rank in the top-10 nationally.

WEST REGION – Erik Vance – South Plains (Texas)

Vance, in his fifth year at South Plains (Texas), has the Texans ranked No. 3 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 2 in the West Region. He coaches Romaine Beckford, who ranks No. 1 in the high jump, and Thomas Nieto, the No. 2 pole vaulter in the NJCAA this season.

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Tim Marsee – Vincennes (Ind.)

Marsee, in his 14th year with Vincennes (Ind.), guided athletes to region-leading marks in five events. No one ranked higher than pole vaulter Matteo Capello, whose nation-leading pole vault of 5.50m (18-0½) set a new NJCAA record. The Trailblazers also had regional leaders in four other events that Marsee coaches: the shot put, hammer, javelin and decathlon. 

CENTRAL REGION – Trent Edgerton – Barton (Kan.) CC

Edgerton, in his second year coaching the sprints and hurdles at Barton (Kan.) CC, helped the Cougars to lead in four events. In three events, Edgerton’s charges lead the nation with Daniel Feagin (100), Caleb Boger (200) and Ja’Kwan Hale (400 hurdles), while also having regional-leading marks in the 400 with Gamali Felix and the 4×400 relay.

MIDWEST REGION – Jonathan Alexis – Iowa Central CC 

Alexis, in his first year coaching the jumps and combined events at Iowa Central CC, mentored four Tritons to region-leading marks in the high jump (David Bosquez Grimaldo), pole vault (Nicola Paletti), triple jump (Tristan Hanna) and decathlon (Aries Scott). Two of his athletes also rated No. 2 in the region in additional events: Scott in the pole vault and long jump and Paletti in the decathlon.

WEST REGION – Wes Miller – South Plains (Texas)

Miller, in his second year coaching the sprints, hurdles and relays at South Plains (Texas), led athletes to regional-leading marks in five events. The Texans were actually tops in the nation in three events with Khaleb McRae (400), Seydi Sall (800) and the 4×400 relay. Also leading the region under Miller’s guidance were Justin Guy (110H) and Chris Robinson (400H). 

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Tania Dunbar – Bryant & Stratton (Va.)

Dunbar, a sophomore from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is ranked top-15 nationally in both the 400H (No. 7, 1:04.82) and 100H (No. 13, 14.63). She is undefeated in the 100H this season through three races.

CENTRAL REGION – Lashanna Graham – Barton (Kan.) CC

Graham, a freshman from Lucea, Jamaica, is currently ranked first nationally in the 400H at 57.37, a mark that puts her No. 3 in NJCAA history. She is also ranked second nationally in the 400 at 53.83c (53.72A) and is the anchor leg of the nation’s second-fastest 4×400 relay at 3:44.37.

MIDWEST REGION – Nickisha Pryce – Iowa Western CC

Pryce, a freshman from Clarendon, Jamaica, is ranked first nationally in the 400 at 53.33 and second nationally in the 200 at 23.33. She is an undefeated double regional champion in those events and is also a member of top-5 nationally-ranked 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams.

WEST REGION – Rosemary Chukwuma – South Plains (Texas)

Chukwuma, a freshman from Ekwashi, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, is a double national leader in the 100 (11.21c/11.18) and 200 (23.23). She is also a member of the nation’s second-fastest 4×100 relay team at 45.11.

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Jada Ventors – Bryant & Stratton (Va.)

Ventors, a sophomore from Chesapeake, Virginia, is ranked fifth nationally in the heptathlon with 3840 points. She is also ranked top-25 nationally in the long jump at 5.56m (18-3).

CENTRAL REGION – Nia Robinson – Barton (Kan.) CC

Robinson, a freshman from Lucea, Jamaica, is currently ranked first nationally in the long jump at 6.56m (21-6¼), a mark that won her the NJCAA Region VI/Jayhawk Conference title and moved her up to No. 3 all-time in NJCAA history. She is also ranked third nationally in the triple jump at 12.58m (41-3¼) and fourth nationally in the high jump at 1.66m (5-5¼).   

MIDWEST REGION – Victory George – Iowa Western CC

George, a freshman from Warri, Nigeria, is ranked second nationally in the long jump at 6.31m (20-8½), a mark that won her the event title at the NJCAA Region XI/ICCAC Outdoor Championships and broke the Region XI record. She is also ranked second nationally in the triple jump at 12.62m (41-5) and took down the Region XI record in that event, too.

WEST REGION – Onaara Obamuwagun – South Plains (Texas)

Obamuwagun, a freshman from Lagos, Nigeria, is ranked first nationally in the triple jump at 13.38m (43-10¾) and sixth nationally in the long jump at 6.04m (19-9¾). She has eclipsed 13.10m (42-11¾) in the triple jump six different times outdoors and is undefeated against NJCAA competition.   

Women’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Claude Toukene – Bryant & Stratton (Va.)

Toukene has the Bobcats ranked No. 11 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 1 in the Atlantic Region. His athletes lead the region in nine events and has athletes ranked in the top-20 across 12 events, including 6 top-10 performances.

CENTRAL REGION – Ted Schmitz – Cloud County (Kan.) CC

Schmitz, in his 40th year at Cloud County (Kan.) CC, guided the Thunderbirds to the team title at the NJCAA Region VI Championships with 178 points and had four event champions. He also has the top-ranked 4×800 and discus thrower on the Descending Order List.

MIDWEST REGION – Doug Marshall – Iowa Western CC

Marshall, in his third year at Iowa Western CC, has the Reivers ranked No. 5 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index. The Reivers captured the team title at the NJCAA Region XI Championships with 118 points, winning 12 event titles and broke six Region XI records. He has 25 athletes across 15 events qualified for the NJCAA Championships.

WEST REGION – Keith Blackwill – New Mexico JC 

Blackwill, in his 16th year at New Mexico JC, has the Thunderbirds ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 1 in the West Region. Blackwill also coaches the jumps, throws and combined events and guided five athletes to 11 national qualifying marks.

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Shirvon Greene – Monroe-New Rochelle (N.Y.)

Greene, in his 12th year coaching the distances at Monroe-New Rochelle, guided the Mustangs to region-leading marks in the 800 (Aaliyah Moore), 1500 (Thulisile Amon) and 5000 (Tshwanelo Maruping). Monroe was especially deep in the 800 and 1500, owning the top three positions in the region. Greene also serves as associate head coach.

CENTRAL REGION – Jason Martin – Barton (Kan.) CC

Martin, in his second year coaching the jumps and combined events at Barton (Kan.) CC, guided two athletes to combine to sweep three regional leads. Nia Robinson led both the long jump and triple jump, and she rated No. 1 nationally in the long jump. Annia Ashley was tied at the top of the regional high jump list and tied for No. 2 nationally. Cougar jumpers were dominant at the Region VI meet, going 1-2-3 in long jump, 1-2 in the triple jump and 1-2 in the high jump.

MIDWEST REGION – Shellene Williams – Iowa Western CC

Williams, in her ninth year coaching the sprints at Iowa Western, mentored the Reviers to region-leading times in four events: 200, 400, 800 and the 4×100 relay. Her top athlete, Nickisha Price, leads the nation in the 400 and is No. 2 in the 200. Williams also serves as associate head coach.

WEST REGION – Tabarie Henry – New Mexico JC

Henry, in his second year coaching the sprints and hurdles at New Mexico JC, guided the Thunderbirds to top-2 regional times in six events. His group was led by Kimeone McLeod as the region’s fastest 100-meter hurdler and Ayla Stanisclaus, who was No. 2 in the 100 and 200. Both were No. 2 nationally in at least one event.