Award History
NCAA DI OTF Regional Awards2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Friday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Each of the nine regions – Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Mountain, Northeast, South, South Central, Southeast and West – honored both gender’s top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.
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USTFCCCA Regional Award History
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Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
Many of these honored athletes and coaches are headed to the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships next week in Eugene, Oregon.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Yared Nuguse – Notre Dame
Nuguse, who hails from Louisville, Kentucky, set a collegiate record in the 1500 of 3:34.68 in the prelims of the ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Earlier in the season, Nuguse went 3:35.96 over the same distance to win the event at the Oregon Twilight and notch another all-time top-10 mark. Nuguse also clocked a time of 13:40.62 in the 5000 at the Raleigh Relays.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Joseph Amoah – Coppin State
Amoah, who hails from Greater Accra, Ghana, clocked season-best marks of 10.00w in the 100 and 20.32w in the 200. He will contest both events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and helped Coppin State qualify for the 4×100 as well. During the collegiate season, he traveled to Poland to give his native Ghana a hand in punching a ticket to the upcoming Olympic Games in the 4×100.
MIDWEST REGION – Wesley Kiptoo – Iowa State
Kiptoo, who hails from Marakwet, Kenya, clocked season-best marks of 13:21.02 in the 5000 and 27:58.10 in the 10,000. It was at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, where Kiptoo became the first male athlete in conference history to win three individual events at one outdoor conference meet, taking first place in the 5000, 10,000 and steeplechase, and setting meet records in all three outings.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Conner Mantz – BYU
Mantz, who hails from Smithfield, Utah, clocked a collegiate-leading mark of 27:41.16 in the 10,000, just missing the school record held by his coach (Ed Eyestone). He also went 13:24.78 in the 5000 at the Hayward Premiere and ran 3:37.96 over 1500 meters at the West Coast Relays.
NORTHEAST REGION – Alex Masai – Hofstra
Masai, who hails from Mt. Elgon, Kenya, was the top qualifier in the 10,000 at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round by nearly eight seconds with his 28:29.97, which just missed his seasonal best of 28:27.35. He also won the 5000 at the CAA Outdoor Championships by 25 seconds.
SOUTH REGION – Robert Dunning – Alabama
Dunning, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia, clocked the fastest all-conditions mark this season in the 110H of 13.15 to win the event at the SEC Outdoor Championships. He is undefeated in 110H finals.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Terrance Laird – LSU
Laird, who hails from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, clocked the third-fastest performance in collegiate history in the 200 with his 19.81 effort at the Texas Relays in late March. He also added a wind-legal 19.82 at the SEC Outdoor Championships to equal the fourth-fastest all-time performance. It was at the SEC Outdoor Championships where Laird scored 22.5 points thanks to completing the 100-200 double and anchoring the winning 4×100 relay.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Trevor Stewart – North Carolina A&T
Stewart, who hails from Lorton, Virginia, clocked season-best marks of 44.52 in the 400 and 20.50 in the 200. It was at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round where Stewart anchored North Carolina A&T’s 4×400 relay in 43.70 as the foursome notched the third-fastest performance in collegiate history at 2:59.21.
WEST REGION – Cole Hocker – Oregon
Hocker, who hails from Indianapolis, Indiana, ended the regular season ranked top-10 nationally in three different individual events – 5000 (No. 1, 13:19.98), 1500 (No. 4, 3:36.47), 800 (No. 7, 1:46.39). His time in the 5000 made him the 12th-fastest performer in collegiate history. Hocker won the 5000 at the Pac-12 Outdoor Championships and finished third in the 800.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Ayden Owens – Michigan
Owens, who hails from Wexford, Pennsylvania, won the decathlon at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with a meet-record total of 8238 points. It was the second-best total in Big Ten history and moved Owens into the top-20 in collegiate history.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – David Lucas – Penn State
Lucas, who hails from Lititz, Pennsylvania, hit a season-best mark in the discus of 60.77m (199-4) at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round. Just a few weeks earlier, Lucas won the event title at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships by nearly seven feet with his 60.06m (197-0) effort.
MIDWEST REGION – Alex Talley – North Dakota State
Talley, who hails from West Fargo, North Dakota, was one of only two athletes in the nation ranked in the top-10 of both the hammer and shot put at the end of the regular season. It was at the Rock Chalk Classic where Tally notched both of his season bests at 71.05m (233-1) in the hammer and 20.19m (66-3) in the shot put. He was named Summit League Championships Field MVP after winning event titles in both the hammer and shot put.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Cameron Bates – BYU
Bates, who hails from Spanish Fork, Utah, has a season best in the javelin of 77.17m (253-2), which he recorded at the Hayward Premiere. He has topped 70.00m (229-8) six times this season.
NORTHEAST REGION – August Cook – Army West Point
Cook, who hails from Bedford, Pennsylvania, set a meet record in the javelin of 75.20m (246-9) at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships. Two weeks later, Cook won the event title at the IC4A Outdoor Championships with another heave of 71.00m (232-11) or better.
SOUTH REGION – Karel Tilga – Georgia
Tilga, who hails from Tartu, Estonia, notched the second-best decathlon total in collegiate history of 8484 points at the Spec Towns Invitational in early April. While it was his only decathlon of the season thus far, Tilga also finished sixth in the javelin at the SEC Outdoor Championships at 66.16m (217-1).
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – JuVaughn Harrison – LSU
Harrison, who hails from Huntsville, Alabama, equaled the second-best performer in collegiate history in the high jump at the SEC Outdoor Championships with his clearance of 2.36m (7-8¾). It was part of a field series where Harrison went 7-for-7 on his attempts. Earlier in the season, Harrison soared a wind-legal 8.44m (27-8¼) in the long jump to become the sixth-best performer in collegiate history.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Claudio Romero – Virginia
Romero, who hails from Santiago, Chile, picked the right time to PR, as he hit a throw of 65.78m (215-10) to qualify second out of the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round. Earlier in the season, Romero won the discus title at the ACC Outdoor Championships in 61.21m (200-10). Romero also has a best in the shot put of 18.47m (60-7¼) and placed sixth at the ACC Outdoor Championships in that event.
WEST REGION – Turner Washington – Arizona State
Washington, who hails from Tucson, Arizona, has been dominant in both the discus and shot put all season long. Sporting an undefeated record going into the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Washington tops both seasonal charts with marks of 66.26m (217-5) in the discus and 21.07m (69-1½) in the shot put. Not only that, but Washington owns eight of the top-10 marks this season in the discus and seven of the top-10 marks in the shot put.
Men’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Thomas Chorny – Miami (Ohio)
Chorny, in his fifth year at Miami (Ohio), led the Redhawks to the team title at the MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the program’s first title in 28 years. The Redhawks had three NCAA East Preliminary Round qualifiers in the 800 and 1500. Chorny led Finley Mclear to an NCAA Championship berth in the 800 as the fastest qualifier out of the East.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Jamie Cook – Navy
Cook, in his fourth year at Navy, led the Midshipmen to the team title at the Patriot League Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 298 points, while later capturing the crown at the IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The Midshipmen had 11 athletes qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round. Cook’s team had six top-20 #EventSquad Rankings, including the No. 2 decathlon and No. 6 javelin event groups.
MIDWEST REGION – Joey Woody – Iowa
Woody, in his seventh year at Iowa, led the Hawkeyes to the team title at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a school record 127.5 points and 15 medalists. The Hawkeyes boast eight top-20 national event rankings and eight top-15 #EventsSquad Rankings, including the No. 1 110H, No. 2 discus and No. 3 400H event groups.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Ed Eyestone – BYU
Eyestone, in his eighth year at BYU, had the Cougars ranked in the top-5 of the USTFCCCA National TFRI for seven weeks, including the program’s first No. 1 billing. The Cougars were tied with Oregon for the most regional entries (34) and advanced 14 athletes to the NCAA Championships. Eyestone’s athletes have combined for 14 top-20 national event rankings, including the top-ranked athlete in the 10,000. In the #EventSquad Rankings, the Cougars have nine top-10 billings with the top 1500 and steeplechase groups, plus the No. 3 javelin squad.
NORTHEAST REGION – Greg Roy – Connecticut
Roy, in his 36th year at Connecticut, led the Huskies to the team title at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 294 points thanks to 12 event champions. Roy’s athletes were named High Point Performer of the Meet, Track Athlete of the Meet and Field Athlete of the Meet, while the Huskies took home Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The Huskies also have four top-20 #EventSquad Rankings.
SOUTH REGION – Dan Waters – Alabama
Waters, in his 10th year at Alabama, led the Crimson Tide to a second-place team finish at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the program’s best finish in 37 years. The Crimson Tide notched four First Team All-SEC honors, three Second Team accolades and a pair of Freshman All-SEC nods. Waters led Eliud Kipsang to a No. 4 all-time ranking in the 1500, while Robert Dunning is ranked No. 14 in NCAA history. The Crimson Tide hold 11 top-20 national event rankings, including Dunning’s top-ranked performance in the 110H. Alabama qualified 13 men to the NCAA Championships.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Dennis Shaver – LSU
Shaver, in his 17th year at LSU, has guided the Tigers to the No. 1 billing in the National TFRI for nine of the 10 possible weeks. He oversaw JuVaughn Harrison and Terriance Laird to all-time marks in collegiate history: Harrison is No. 2 in the high jump (2.36m) and No. 6 in the long jump (8.44), while Laird is the No. 3 performer in the 200 (19.81). On the Descending Order List, LSU holds 18 top-20 national event rankings, including the top-ranked marks in the 100, 200, 400, high jump and long jump. The Tigers have 15 entries for the NCAA Championships.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Duane Ross – North Carolina A&T
Ross, in his ninth year at North Carolina A&T, led the Aggies to the team title at the MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a conference record 288 points. The Aggies had 13 event champions and won every track event contested at the MEAC Championships except the steeplechase. Ross had 13 athletes qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round across nine events, and the 4×100 and 4×400 relays set meet and facility records. The Aggies qualified nine athletes for the NCAA Championships in nine events.
WEST REGION – Robert Johnson – Oregon
Johnson, in his ninth year at Oregon, led the Ducks to the team title at the Pac-12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a meet record 185 points. The Ducks scored at least 10 points in 10 different events with four event champions. Johnson’s athletes have combined for 14 top-20 national event rankings, including the top performance in the 5000. The Ducks have qualified 13 individual qualifiers and a relay for the NCAA Championships.
Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Sean Carlson – Notre Dame
Carlson, in his 10th year at Notre Dame, coached athletes who scored in every distance event at the ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He also had Fighting Irish entrants in every distance race at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round, with three qualifying for the final site in Eugene. His top pupil, Yared Nuguse, set a collegiate record of 3:34.68 in the 1500 meters.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Lucais MacKay – Penn State
MacKay, in his fifth year at Penn State, led the Nittany Lions throwing group to titles in the discus and hammer at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, plus a runner-up finish in the hammer. His javelin crew compiled a 1-3-4 conference finish, as the throwers totalled 44 of the team’s 65 points at the Big Ten. Nine of his athletes qualified for the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round, with four advancing to the final site in Eugene.
MIDWEST REGION – Tom Hays – Kansas
Hays, in his 16th year at Kansas, guided the Jayhawks pole vault unit to become the first in NCAA history with four from the same program over 18-feet (5.49m) in the same season. The KU vaulters combined for 27 points at the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the most points scored by any program in the event in meet history. Two of his athletes advanced to the final site in Eugene, led by Zach Bradford at 5.81m (19-0¾).
MOUNTAIN REGION – Kyle Grossarth – BYU
Grossarth, in his ninth year at BYU, led seven entries in the sprint/hurdle/relay group into the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round. Two Cougar individuals and both the 4×100 and 4×400 relay squads advanced to the final site in Eugene.
NORTHEAST REGION – Angelo Posillico – Army West Point
Posillico, in his fourth year at Army West Point, coached the Black Knights to a sweep of all four throwing events at the Patriot League Outdoor Track & Field Championships. His throwers combined for 86 points, the most in Patriot League history. The Black Knights also won three titles at the IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championships and were the top-ranked Northeast Region event squad in all four throwing events.
SOUTH REGION – Althea Thomas – Georgia
Thomas, in her fourth year at Georgia, guided six Bulldog entries in the sprints, hurdles and relays to the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round. Her event area combined for 28 of Georgia’s 48 points at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and during the season set school records in the 200 (20.06), 400 (44.61) and 4×100 (38.57). She also serves as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Todd Lane – LSU
Lane, in his 14th year at LSU, coached three Tiger jumpers to four berths at the final site of the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Leading the way was JuVaughn Harrison, who equaled the No. 2 performer in collegiate history in the high jump at 2.36m (7-8¾) and added a No. 6 entry on the all-time long jump list at 8.44m (27-8¼). His jump squad also included the season’s fifth-best long jumper in Rayvon Grey and second-best freshman triple jumper in Sean Dixon-Bodie.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Ron Garner – North Carolina A&T
Garner, in his third year at North Carolina A&T, helped guide a sprint/hurdle/relay group that is sending entries in seven events to the final site of the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Two of the Aggie runners (Trevor Stewart and Randolph Ross) own times currently in the world’s top 10 at 44.52 and 44.60. The Aggies’ 4×400 team owns the nation’s fastest time of 2:59.21, third best in collegiate history.
WEST REGION – Ben Thomas – Oregon
Thomas, in his third year at Oregon, coached a Duck distance crew which punched eight entries to the final site of the NCAA Championships, with at least two entries in three events. His group won three events at the Pac-12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, accounting for 72 of the team’s winning total of 185 points. Two of his 1500-meter runners – Cooper Teare and Cole Hocker – rate among the all-time top 15 collegiately.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Anavia Battle – Ohio State
Battle, who hails from Inkster, Michigan, was named the Women’s Track Athlete of the Meet at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships after completing the 100-200 double and toting the baton second on the winning 4×100 relay. She doubled up on wind-legal PRs at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round, going 11.18 in the 100 and 22.28 in the 200.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – McKenna Keegan – Villanova
Keegan, who hails from West Grove, Pennsylvania, broke a 34-year-old school record in the 800 at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round with her 2:01.25. Earlier in the season, Keegan won the 800 at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships and anchored the winning 4×400 relay in 52.67.
MIDWEST REGION – Abby Kohut-Jackson – Minnesota
Kohut-Jackson, who hails from Huxley, Iowa, won the steeplechase with a PR at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in 9:47.51 and improved that mark to 9:46.96 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round. Earlier in the season, Kohut-Jackson helped Minnesota set a program record in the DMR of 11:03.01 at the Illini B1G Relays.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Whittni Orton – BYU
Orton, who hails from Panguitch, Utah, became the seventh-fastest woman in collegiate history over 5000 meters at the Sound Running Track Meet with her 15:12.91 effort. Earlier in the season, Orton went 4:09.31 in the 1500 to move into the all-time top-20 in collegiate history in that event.
NORTHEAST REGION – Abbey Wheeler – Providence
Wheeler, who hails from Elmira, New York, PR’d by 32 seconds in the 10,000 at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round with her 33:18.34 effort. She went into the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round ranked 22nd in the East and qualified second. Earlier in the season, Wheeler won the 10,000 and anchored the third-place 4×800 relay at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships.
SOUTH REGION – Tamara Clark – Alabama
Clark, who hails from High Point, North Carolina, is among the fastest women in collegiate history in both the 100 and 200, regardless of conditions. Most recently, Clark went a wind-legal 22.13 over 200 meters at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round to become the fourth-fastest performer in collegiate history. That came two weeks after a windy 21.87 at the SEC Outdoor Championships, which made her the fastest under any conditions. Earlier in the season, Clark hit a wind-legal 10.96 in the 100 at the LSU Alumni Gold to become the ninth-fastest performer in college history. Oh, Clark completed the 100-200 double at the SEC Outdoor Championships and helped out on the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Athing Mu – Texas A&M
Mu, who hails from Trenton, New Jersey, rewrote the collegiate record book this outdoor season. She notched four collegiate all-time top-10 marks – including collegiate records in both the 400 (49.68) and 800 (1:57.73), which also happen to be all-time U20 American bests. Mu is currently the only woman in collegiate history with two sub-50 clockings to her credit in the 400 (She went 49.84 to win the SEC title). Mu went undefeated during the regular season, a perfect 12-0 in races entered and 6-0 in individual events ranging from the 400 to 1500.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Cambrea Sturgis – North Carolina A&T
Sturgis, who hails from Kannapolis, North Carolina, turned in two blistering marks at the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round: 10.92 in the 100 to become the fifth-fastest woman in collegiate history; 22.26 in the 200 to become the 15th-fastest woman in college history. Earlier in the season, Sturgis completed the 100-200 double at the MEAC Outdoor Championships and led off the winning 4×100 relay.
WEST REGION – Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry – Southern California
Terry, who hails from Miami, Florida, made quick work of the 100 at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in College Station. It was in the First Round where she lowered the facility record to 10.99 (+0.8). Then, Terry came back in the quarterfinals with a wind-legal 10.89 (+1.3) to become the fourth-fastest performer in collegiate history. Terry also broke the facility record in the 200 with a 22.54 effort. Earlier in the postseason, Terry starred at the Pac-12 Outdoor Championships with a 100-200 double and anchored the runner-up 4×100 relay.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Adelaide Aquilla – Ohio State
Aquilla, who hails from Rocky River, Ohio, became the fourth-best performer in collegiate history in the shot put at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with her mark of 19.12m (62-8¾). She also has a seasonal best in the discus of 56.70m (186-0) that she used to qualify second out of the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Madeline Nickal (Holmberg) – Penn State
Nickal, who hails from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, won the heptathlon at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with 5839 points. Earlier in the season, Nickal also leapt 6.63m (20-10½) in the long jump at the Maryland BIG Invitational.
MIDWEST REGION – Laulauga Tausaga – Iowa
Tausaga, who hails from Spring Valley, California, improved her PR in the discus to 63.28m (207-7) at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round and solidified her position as the 11th-best performer in collegiate history. She also hit a seasonal best of 17.97m (58-11½) in the shot put at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round. Tausaga scored 14 points in field events at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with a victory in the discus and a fifth-place finish in the shot put.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Ruth Usoro – Texas Tech
Usoro, who hails from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, became the third-best performer in collegiate history in the triple jump with her 14.50m (47-7) effort at the Masked Rider Open. Just a few weeks before that, Usoro hit her seasonal best in the long jump of 6.76m (22-2¼) at the Texas Relays.
NORTHEAST REGION – Emily Mikoud – Army West Point
Mikoud, who hails from Plymouth, Massachusetts, doubled up on throws titles at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships, winning the discus in a PR of 50.42m (165-5) and hitting a seasonal best in the shot put of 15.51m (50-10¼). Two weeks later, she won the discus crown at the ECAC Outdoor Championships and finished runner-up in the shot put.
SOUTH REGION – Jasmine Moore – Georgia
Moore, who hails from Grand Prairie, Texas, is ranked among the top-11 performers in collegiate history in both horizontal jumps. It was at the SEC Outdoor Championships where she bounded 14.39m (47-2½) in the triple jump to win the event and become the third-best performer in collegiate history. Then it was at the Spec Towns Invitational, where she soared 6.83m (22-5) in the long jump to move up to No. 11 on the all-time chart in that event.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Tyra Gittens – Texas A&M
Gittens, who hails from Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, became the third-best heptathlete in collegiate history with her 6418 total at the SEC Outdoor Championships. It was during that multi where Gittens soared 6.96m (22-10) in the long jump to become the fourth-best performer in collegiate history in that event and cleared 1.95m (6-4¾) in the high jump to equal the sixth-best performer in collegiate history there. When you combine what Gittens did in the high jump and long jump, she did what no other woman had done in world history within the confines of the multi.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Rachel Glenn – South Carolina
Glenn, who hails from Long Beach, California, became the first freshman to win the high jump at the SEC Outdoor Championships since 2012. Earlier in the season, Glenn notched a seasonal best of 1.91m (6-3¼) in the event at the UNF Invitational.
WEST REGION – Jorinde van Klinken – Arizona State
van Klinken, who hails from Assen, Netherlands, holds seasonal bests of 64.44m (211-5) and 17.67m (57-11¾) in the discus and shot put, respectively. Leading up to the NCAA postseason, van Klinken competed unattached at the USATF Throws Festival and hit a world-leading effort of 70.22m (230-4), which would have also bettered the collegiate record by more than nine feet, if she competed attached.
Women’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Karen Dennis – Ohio State
Dennis, in her seventh year at Ohio State, led the Buckeyes to the team title at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 117 points and had five event champions. Dennis was unanimously selected as the Big Ten Conference Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year. The Buckeyes have qualified eight athletes out of the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round to compete across 10 events at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Gina Procaccio – Villanova
Procaccio, in her 21st year at Villanova, led the Wildcats to the team title at the BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 197.5 points. The Wildcats won eight event crowns in the 800, 1500, 5000, 400H, steeplechase, 4×400 relay, javelin and discus. Procaccio led 19 qualifiers and the 4×400 relay for the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round. The Wildcats have two qualifiers for the NCAA Championships.
MIDWEST REGION – Jeff Bovee – Illinois State
Bovee, in his seventh year at Illinois State, led the Redbirds to the team title at the Missouri Valley Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 232 points. The Redbirds had six event champions at the MVC Championships, with 18 individual All-MVC performances and two relays. 30 of 32 women scored points for the ‘Birds at the MVC Championships. Bouvee also guided Grace Beattie to be named the Most Outstanding Track Athlete and Jordyn Bruce to Most Valuable Athlete.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Wes Kittley – Texas Tech
Kittley, in his 21st year at Texas Tech, led the Red Raiders to one of their best seasons in program history. Texas Tech held a top-10 ranking in the USTFCCCA National TFRI for seven consecutive weeks, which set a program record. The Red Raiders, who finished third at the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, qualified four individuals in five events, plus both relays to the final site of the NCAA Championships.
NORTHEAST REGION – Roberto Vives – Albany
Vives, in his 36th year at Albany, led the Great Danes to the team title at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 200 points. The Great Danes won eight event crowns, including three from Asia Jinks, and was named the America East Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year. Under Vives, the women’s team saw six varsity and freshman school records. The Great Danes had two athletes qualify for the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round.
SOUTH REGION – Bob Braman – Florida State
Braman, in his 18th year at Florida State, led the Seminoles to a share of the team title at the ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 110 points, claiming points in virtually every event. Of the five event champions for the Seminoles, the 4×100 relay ran a meet record time of 43.28 to bring home the crown. Florida State had 23 entries for the NCAA DI East Preliminary round and punched nine through to Eugene.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Dennis Shaver – LSU
Shaver, in his 17th year at LSU, led the Tigers to the No. 1 ranking in the National TFRI each and every week this season and a strong effort at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He coached Tonea Marshall to become the fourth-fastest performer in NCAA history in the 100H at 12.44. He also guided the 4×100 relay to an NCAA- and world-leading time. LSU has 19 entries for the NCAA Championships.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Duane Ross – North Carolina A&T
Ross, in his ninth year at North Carolina A&T, led the Aggies to the team title at the MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a meet record 290 points and winning 13 events. Ross oversaw 14 athletes qualify for the NCAA DI East Preliminary Round, with Cambrea Sturgis setting the facility record in the 100 (10.92) at the meet. The Aggies qualified nine athletes across six events to the final site of the NCAA Championships, including three in both the 200 and 100H.
WEST REGION – Caryl Smith Gilbert – Southern California
Smith Gilbert, in her eighth year at Southern California, led the Women of Troy to the team title at the Pac-12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 162.5 points and had seven event championships. Smith Gilbert had the Women of Troy ranked in the top-5 of the USTFCCCA National TFRI all season. She guided Twanisha Terry to a 10.89 in the 100, which is the fourth-fastest performance all-time by a collegian. Her athletes posted 17 all-time top-10 efforts in the USC record books and had 27 top-30 national event rankings heading into the Preliminary Rounds. The Women of Troy have 15 athletes qualified in 18 events, plus both relays, for the NCAA Championships.
Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Ashley Kovacs – Ohio State
Kovacs, in her seventh year at Ohio State, led three Buckeye throwers to each earn a pair of berths in the final site of the NCAA Championships. Two of her athletes set meet records at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships – Sade Olatoye in the hammer at 68.90m (226-0) and Adelaide Aquilla in the shot put at 19.12m (62-8¾), the latter rating No. 4 all-time among collegians. Aquilla was named Field Athlete of the Championships.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – James Snyder – Temple
Snyder, in his eighth year at Temple, guided athletes to podium finishes in every middle- and long-distance event at The American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. His group combined for 64 of Temple’s 81 points for a program-best third-place finish. During the season Lady Owls set new school records in five events – 800, 1500, 5000, 10,000 and steeplechase.
MIDWEST REGION – Justin St. Clair – North Dakota State
St. Clair, in his 10th year at North Dakota State, led a throwing group to 13 entries in the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round, with five advancing to the final site in Eugene – two each in the shot put and javelin, plus one in the hammer. The Bisons were ranked No. 1 in event squad rankings in the shot and hammer and swept all four throwing events at the Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Six of his shot putters went past 50 feet this year – no other program had more than three – and claimed the top six places at the Summit League meet.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Diljeet Taylor – BYU
Taylor, in her fifth year at BYU, coached athletes to 22 entries in distance events at the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round, with nine advancing to the final site NCAA Championships in Eugene. The Cougars had the top-ranked event squad in the 1500 and were No. 2 in the 800 and steeplechase. Two of her athletes – Whittni Orton (5000) and Courtney Wayment (steeplechase) – own the nation’s fastest time and are among the fastest women in collegiate history.
NORTHEAST REGION – Annette Acuff – Binghamton
Acuff, in her 21st year at Binghamton, guided two Bearcat athletes to school records in four distance events. Emily Mackay set Binghamton all-time marks in three events – 800, 1500 and 5000 – and qualified for the final site of the NCAA Championships in the 5K. Aziza Chigatayeva set the Bearcat record in the steeplechase. Both won titles at the America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Mackay in the 1500 and Chigatayeva in the steeple.
SOUTH REGION – Blaine Wiley – Alabama
Wiley, in his sixth year at Alabama, coached two sprinters and the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams to the final site of the NCAA Championships. His top pupil was Tamara Clark, who swept the 100 and 200 at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Clark owns the nation’s fastest time in the 200 at 22.13, as well as a wind-aided 21.89 that is the fastest ever by a collegian under any conditions. Natassha McDonald is No. 2 in the nation in the 400 at 50.91.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Sean Brady – Texas A&M
Brady, in his third year at Texas A&M, guided athletes to combine for 50 of the Aggies’ 82 points at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. His athletes broke school records in four events – high jump, long jump, triple jump and heptathlon. Two of his athletes – Deborah Acquah (long jump) and Tyra Gittens (heptathlon) – won SEC titles, and Gittens earned all-time top-10 collegiate marks in three events (high jump, long jump and heptathlon).
SOUTHEAST REGION – Mark Mueller – Duke
Mueller, in his seventh year at Duke, oversaw the qualification of eight Blue Devils to the final site of the NCAA Championships, including both the 4×100 and 4×400 relays for the first time in program history. His sprint group contributed 52 of Duke’s 110 points for the team’s first team title at the ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. During the season, the Blue Devils set school records in the 100, 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400.
WEST REGION – Quincy Watts – Southern California
Watts, in his eighth year at Southern California, led a dominant squad of runners in the 400 and 400 hurdles. Seven Women of Troy qualified for the NCAA DI West Preliminary Round in the 400, with five advancing to the final site in Eugene. Two additional athletes qualified for the NCAA final site in the 400 hurdles, as did the 4×400 relay team. His athletes scored 52 of USC’s 162.5 points in winning the Pac-12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships.