2016 NJCAA DIII Cross Country Post-Season Awards Announced

NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced season-end award winners in cross country representing National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III.

Based on results of the NJCAA Division III Championships held November 12 in Canadaigua, New York, the following athletes and coaches earned USTFCCCA national awards. Notably, the men’s race was impacted by an error on the course that resulted in the late-race leaders taking an incorrect turn and consequently finishing outside All-America honors.

National Men’s Athlete of the Year – Eric Wilkewitz, Schoolcraft (Mich.)

A freshman from Brownstown Township, Mich., won the NJCAA Division III men’s individual title in 29:11.4, 15 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

National Men’s Coach of the Year – Jim Macnider, Harper (Ill.)

Macnider lead his men’s team to its sixth national crown in-a-row. His Hawks won this year’s title with 65 points, 36 ahead of nearest challenger Suffolk.

National Women’s Athlete of the Year – Ali Gutt, Harper (Ill.)

Gutt, a sophomore from Schaumburg, Ill., won the women’s individual national crown in 19:11.5, a full minute ahead of her nearest challenger.

National Women’s Coach of the Year – Jim Macnider, Harper (Ill.)

Macnider also led his women’s team to a national crown, the program’s first. The Hawks scored just 36 points with three finishing in the top 10 and the scoring five entirely in the top 20.