NJCAA DIII National Award Winners For 2017 Outdoor T&F Season

NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2017 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

These awards were voted on by USTFCCCA members coaches based on performances at both the 2017 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the entire season.

Information on each of the winners can be found below.

NATIONAL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

MEN’S TRACK – Stephen Cadogan, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Cadogan, a sophomore, entered NJCAAs ranked 1st nationally in both the 400 and 800. He didn’t disappoint in Columbia, Maryland, as he won the 400-meter and 800-meter titles in 49.01 and 1:58.43, respectively. Cadogan also anchored the winning 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams as the Kingsborough (N.Y.) men won the team title in a rout.

WOMEN’S TRACK – Tatyana Mills, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Mills, a sophomore, carried the Wave to a team title by herself two weeks ago at NJCAAs. She won individual titles in the 100 (12.19), 200 (24.81) and 400 (58.87) and was part of the winning 4×100 and 4×400 relays. Mills also anchored the runner-up 4×800 relay team. Put it all together and Mills scored a staggering 37½ points.

MEN’S FIELD – Peter Flacco, Rowan-Gloucester (N.J.)

Flacco, a sophomore from Westmont, New Jersey, had quite the season. It was at the Penn Relays where he was one of only three JUCO athletes invited to compete in the javelin throw. Two weeks ago at NJCAAs, Flacco won the event title in the javelin throw by more than 10 feet over the closest competitor.

WOMEN’S FIELD – Keziann Jones, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Jones, a sophomore, made quick work of the competition two weeks ago in Columbia, Maryland. She won event titles in the shot put, discus throw and hammer throw, while also placing 6th in the discus throw for a total of 33 points. Jones was the NJCAA DIII leader in the shot put and hammer throw entering the national championships.

NATIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR

MEN’S HEAD COACH – Dave Loobie, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Loobie, in his 17th year with the program, led his team to a national title – and it wasn’t even close. The Wave amassed 161 points compared to Rowan-Gloucester (N.J.)’s runner-up total of 117. Kingsborough (N.Y.) entered the NJCAA DIII Championships ranked 2nd nationally. It was at the NJCAA DIII Championships where his athletes won five individual titles and each of the three relay events.

WOMEN’S HEAD COACH – Dave Loobie, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Loobie, in his 17th year with the program, led his team to a national title. The Wave scored 138 points compared to Harper College’s 127 and were ranked 2nd nationally entering the meet. It was in Columbia, Maryland, where Loobie’s athletes won six individual event titles and two relay event crowns (4×100 and 4×400).

MEN’S ASSISTANT COACH – Joseph Kalnas, Rowan-Gloucester (N.J.)

Kalnas, in his 11th year with the program, watched his athletes excel at the NJCAA DIII Championships and throughout the regular season. It was in Columbia, Maryland, two weeks ago where Peter Flacco and Jude Misko won individual titles in the javelin throw and hammer throw, respectively. Kalnas also tutored three athletes to top-8 finishes in the shot put and another top-8 finish in the discus throw.

WOMEN’S ASSISTANT COACH – Rasheen Nicholson, Kingsborough (N.Y.)

Nicholson was a key cog in helping lead the Wave to the national title this season. His athletes dotted the NJCAA DIII Descending Order List all season long and won several event titles in Columbia, Maryland, when the stakes were highest.