Inaugural NJCAA DIII Outdoor T&F Regional Award Winners Announced

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Wednesday its inaugural NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2015 season.

Winners for each region were selected based on a vote of NJCAA DIII coaches.

These athletes and coaches will compete at the NJCAA Division III Outdoor Championships that will be held this weekend, May 7-9, in Utica, New York.

MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION – Juan Barajas – Harper

A sophomore from Hoffman Estates, Ill., enters the national championships with the top seed in the 5000 meters with a season’s best of 15:31.94, and he also secured the second-best time this year in the division at 10,000 meters (32:57.07).

EAST REGION — Gary Smolyak – Howard CC (Md.)

A sophomore from Atholton, Md., is nationally-ranked in the top five in both the 1500 meters (4:13.86) and steeplechase (4:13.86), finishing the season as the region’s top-ranked athlete in both events.

NORTHEAST REGION — Chuck Collins – Finger Lakes CC

Collins, a sophomore from Geneva, N.Y., clocked the fastest 10k time in the division this season, 32:32.01. He is also entered in the national meet in the 5000 meters, where he is the No. 2 seed (15:33.68).

WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Leah Kloss – Harper

A freshman from Grayslake, Ill., is the division’s top-ranked athlete in the 100 meters (12.66) and holds the No. 2 national position in the 200 meters (25.71). Kloss is also ranked in the top-10 nationally in the 400 meters.

EAST REGION — Tamoya Brown – Union County (N.J.)

A sophomore from Elizabeth, N.J., was the region champ in the 100 hurdles and 400 meters. She led the squad to a third-place Region XIX finish. She is entered into the national championships in three track events and the long jump.

NORTHEAST REGION — Stephanie Boucher — Mohawk Valley CC

Boucher, a sophomore from New Hartford, N.Y., is undefeated head-to-head in the 800 and 1500 meters this season against all divisions of competition. The two-event Region III champ has been named the USTFCCCA Athlete of the Week this year and enters the national meet in three events. She holds the division’s top times in the 800 (2:12.69) and 1500 meters (4:42.20).

MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Jason John – Thaddeus Stevens

A sophomore from Upper Darby, Pa., ranks No. 2 nationally in the javelin entering the championships with season best of 179-2/54.63.

EAST REGION — Samard Walker – Union County (N.J.)

Samard, a freshman from Jersey City, N.J., is Union County’s all-time leader in the shot put and discus. A recipient of the USTFCCCA’s National Athlete of the Week as well as being named the only NJCAA DIII  athlete to be invited and compete at the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival, he is entered in three events for the national meet and is the division leader in the shot put.

NORTHEAST REGION — Keimon Barrow — SUNY Delhi

A sophomore from New Rochelle, N.Y., Barrow is the top-ranked jumper in the division in the triple jump and high jump. He placed third at the Penn Relays college men’s high jump and his best this year in the triple jump of 50-3½/15.33m smashed the school record.

WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Leah Kloss – Harper

A freshman from Grayslake, Ill., enters the national championship with the best hammer throw in the division, 145-1/44.22. Kloss is entered into five events for the national meet, including three field events – long jump, hammer, and javelin.

EAST REGION — Pam Watson – Rowan-Gloucester CC

Watson, a freshman from Haddon Heights, N.J., has led the javelin division chart the entire season. She has set a new school record in the event as well as a new personal best with a best of 133-3/40.62m. The USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week holds an 11-foot margin on the leader board in the event.

NORTHEAST REGION — Zhane Ridley — SUNY Delhi

A sophomore from Panas, N.Y., has the nation’s top spot in the heptathlon entering the championships. Along with two track events, she is entered in the national meet in the high jump, long jump, and the heptathlon.

MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Renee Zellner – Harper

Zellner, in her 35th year with the program, has a squad ranked No. 2 nationally and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the region. Harper has the second-most entries, 33,  into the national meet.

EAST REGION — Ryan Hughes — Rowan-Gloucester CC

Hughes, in this 12th year leading the program, has the defending men’s national championship team and enters the national meet ranked fourth.  The squad has 28 entries into the meet, third-most among the field.

NORTHEAST REGION — Robb Munro — SUNY Delhi

Coach Munro, in his third year at Delhi, leads the program with a No. 1 national ranking and a meet-best 40 entries into the national championships. Among the year’s accomplishments is that his team won the regional team title by 190 points over the nearest competitor.

WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Renee Zellner – Harper

Zellner, in her 35th year with the program, has a squad ranked No. 5 nationally and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the region. Harper has 20 entries into the national championships.

EAST REGION — Ryan Hughes – Rowan-Gloucester CC

Hughes, in his 12th year at Rowan-Gloucester, has a squad ranked No.  6 nationally heading to the national meet. Rowan has 18 entries into the national meet.

NORTHEAST REGION — Gary Parker — Mohawk Valley CC

Coach Parker, leading Mohawk Valley in his 36th year, has a team entering the national meet with the No. 1 ranking and 32 entries.

MEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Jim Macnider – Harper

Distance coach of Harper’s program that is ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 2 nationally. In his fifth-year with the program, Harper has 12 entries in mid-distance and distance events.

EAST REGION — Joe Kalnas — Rowan-Gloucester CC

Kalnas is in his ninth year with the program as throws coach. The squad has five throw entries into the national meet.

NORTHEAST REGION — Josh Gregory — SUNY Delhi

Gregory, in his second year with Delhi, has worked with all throwers including Mitchel Couch who leads the nation in Discus and is second in the hammer. Seven of Delhi’s 40 entries for the national meet is in the throws.

WOMEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR

CENTRAL REGION — Jim Macnider – Harper

Macnider, in his fifth season with the program, is distance coach of Harper’s program that is ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 2 nationally. Harper has five national entries in mid-distance and distance events.

EAST REGION — Joe Kalnas — Rowan-Gloucester CC

Kalnas, in his ninth year as throws coach, has a group that boasts seven entries into the national meet. Rowan is ranked No. 6 in the nation entering the championships.
 
NORTHEAST REGION — Josh Gregory — SUNY Delhi

Gregory, in his second season with Delhi as throws and heptathlon coach, will lead nine entries into the national meet. Delhi is ranked No. 2 heading into the national meet.