2021 NAIA Cross Country Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2021 NAIA Cross Country season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season.

Many of these athletes and coaches will end their season on Friday, November 19, at the 2021 NAIA Cross Country Championships in Vancouver, Washington.

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

Men’s Athlete of the Year

GREAT LAKES REGION — Haile Stutzman — Huntington (Ind.)

Stutzman, who hails from Silverton, Oregon, posted two impressive wins this season. The first came at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge when he ran 24:16.2 to beat a talented field by more than seven seconds. Then, he won the individual title at the Crossroads League Cross Country Championships in 24:52.5 over another strong field.

MIDWEST REGION — Trevor Albert — Grand View (Iowa)

Albert, who hails from Eldon, Iowa, has finished fifth or better in four of his five meets this season. That includes an individual title at the Heart of America Cross Country Championships in 24:50.6 and runner-up finishes at both the Grandview Invitational as well as the Seminole Valley Stampede.

SOUTH REGION — Aaron Jones — Milligan (Tenn.)

Jones, who hails from Johnson City, Tennessee, has turned on the jets at the right time. He recently won the individual title at the AAC Cross Country Championships in 24:46.4, which came two weeks after his victory at the NAIA Southern States Challenge in 24:55.4.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Zouhair Talbi — Oklahoma City

Talbi, who hails from Tighassaline, Khenifra, Morocco, is undefeated this season with his most recent victory coming at the Sooner Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships in 24:38.2. Earlier this season, Talbi also won individual titles at the Mid-States Classic as well as the Chile Pepper Festival over a talented field with NCAA DI and NCAA DII athletes. Talbi has been named NAIA National Athlete of the Week twice this season.

WEST REGION — Davis Boggess — The Master’s (Calif.)

Boggess, who hails from Flagstaff, Arizona, recently won the individual title at the Golden State Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships in 24:40.9. Thanks to that individual crown and several other strong efforts, the Mustangs won the team title and broke a GSAC record for the most consecutive conference championships in any sport with 12.

Men’s Coach of the Year

GREAT LAKES REGION — Quinn White — Taylor (Ind.)

White, in his third year as head coach at Taylor (Ind.), led the Trojans to the team title at the Crossroads League Cross Country Championships with 46 points. Taylor also won the team title at the Ray Bullock Invitational. The Trojans are currently ranked No. 4 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

MIDWEST REGION — Jeff Barker — St. Francis (Ill.)

Barker, in his 10th year as head coach at St. Francis (Ill.), led the Fighting Saints to the team title at the Chicagoland Conference Cross Country Championships with 21 points. St. Francis also won the team title at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The Fighting Saints are currently ranked No. 1 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

SOUTH REGION — Chris Layne — Milligan (Tenn.)

Layne, in his 23rd year as head coach at Milligan (Tenn.), led the Buffs to the team title at the Appalachian Conference Cross Country Championships with 17 points. Milligan also won the team title at the NAIA Southern States Challenge and Queen City Invite. The Buffs are currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Frezer Legesse — Oklahoma City

Legesse, in his first year as head coach at Oklahoma City, led the Stars to the team title at the Sooner Conference Cross Country Championships with 21 points. Oklahoma City also won the team title at the NAIA Mid-States Classic. The Stars are currently ranked No. 6 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

WEST REGION — Zach Schroeder — The Master’s (Calif.)

Schroeder, in his 14th year as head coach at The Master’s (Calif.), led the Mustangs to the team title at the Golden State Conference Cross Country Championships with 21 points. The Master’s also won the team title at the Mustang Challenge. The Mustangs are currently ranked No. 7 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

Women’s Athlete of the Year

GREAT LAKES REGION — Anna Martin — Cornerstone (Mich.)

Martin, who hails from Latitz, Pennsylvania, has posted three wins this season, with the most recent victory coming at the WHAC Cross Country Championships, where she won in 17:50.5. She also placed first at the Calvin Knight Invitational and the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. Martin was named NAIA National Athlete of the Week on October 6.

MIDWEST REGION — Sabrina Baftiri — St. Francis (Ill.)

Baftiri, who hails from Morris, Illinois, recently won the individual title at the CCAC Cross Country Championships in 18:02.7. She has finished fourth or better at three of her five meets this season, which also includes a runner-up effort at the Ray Bullock Invitational.

SOUTH REGION — Lemi Wutz — Milligan (Tenn.)

Wutz, who hails from Vienna, Austria, has turned in a strong season for the Buffs this season. She has finished fourth or better in all of her meets this season, including an individual title at the NAIA Southern States Challenge, where she won by nearly 13 seconds. Wutz was named NAIA National Athlete of the Week back on October 13.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Allika Pearson — John Brown (Ark.)

Pearson, who hails from Siloam Springs, Arkansas, has won four meets this season, including a recent individual title at the Sooner Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships in 18:34.0. She also posted victories at the Missouri Southern Stampede, Ouachita Tiger Invitational and the NAIA Mid-States Classic.

WEST REGION — Hannah Fredericks — The Master’s (Calif.)

Fredericks, who hails from Santa Clarita, California, has won two individual titles this season, most recently at the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Cross Country Championships in 17:31.2. She also placed first at the Vanguard Invitational and finished a strong runner-up at both the Biola Invitational and The Master’s University Invitational.

Women’s Coach of the Year

GREAT LAKES REGION — Josh Neideck — Cornerstone (Mich.)

Neideck, in his second year as head coach at Cornerstone (Mich.), led the Golden Eagles to the team title at the Wolverine-Hoosier Conference Cross Country Championships with 18 points. Cornerstone was also runner-up at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The Golden Eagles are currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

MIDWEST REGION — Jeff Barker — St. Francis (Ill.)

Barker, in his 10th year as head coach at St. Francis (Ill.), led the Fighting Saints to the team title at the Chicagoland Conference Cross Country Championships with 17 points. St. Francis also won the team title at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The Fighting Saints are currently ranked No. 1 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

SOUTH REGION — Chris Layne — Milligan (Tenn.)

Layne, in his 23rd year as head coach at Milligan (Tenn.), led the Buffs to the team title at the Appalachian Conference Cross Country Championships with 18 points. Milligan also won the team title at the NAIA Southern States Challenge. The Buffs are currently ranked No. 2 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Tracy Jex — Columbia (Mo.)

Jex, in his sixth year as head coach at Columbia (Mo.), led the Cougars to the team title at the American Midwest Conference Cross Country Championships with 38 points. Columbia also won the team title at the NAIA Mid-States Classic. The Cougars are currently ranked No. 18 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.

WEST REGION — Austin Basterrechea — College of Idaho

Basterrechea, in his sixth year as head coach at College of Idaho, led the Coyotes to the team title at the Cascade Conference Cross Country Championships with 33 points. College of Idaho also won the team title at the Warrior Invitational. The Coyotes are currently ranked No. 6 in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll.