Award History
NCAA DI ITF Regional Awards2019 NCAA DI Indoor T&F Regional Award Winners
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the 2019 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field season were announced Friday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Each of the nine regions honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes and the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.
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 will be in competition at the 2019 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, which are set for next weekend at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.
USTFCCCA Regional Awards are presented by Pro Form Sports.
Men’s Track Athletes of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Oliver Hoare – Wisconsin
Hoare, a junior from Sydney, Australia, became the sixth best performer with the eighth best time in collegiate history in the mile with his clocking of 3:54.83 at the NYRR Millrose Games in early February. He is also ranked fifth nationally in the 3000 with a time of 7:48.81. Hoare is the first athlete from Wisconsin to win this award since Reed Connor in 2014.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Joseph White – Georgetown
White, a senior from Clifton, New Jersey, is ranked fourth nationally in the 800 at 1:46.59, a time that he ran in early February at the NYRR Millrose Games. He also ran the 1200-meter leg of a DMR that is ranked 10th in the NCAA this season. Green is the first athlete in program history to win this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Bryce Hoppel – Kansas
Hoppel, a junior from Midland, Texas, is ranked third nationally in the 800 with a time of 1:46.84A. He ran that time at the Big 12 Championships, which he won and broke a school record in the process. Hoppel is the first athlete from Kansas to win this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Divine Oduduru – Texas Tech
Oduduru, a junior from Ughelli, Nigeria, clocked the second fastest time over 200 meters in collegiate history at the Big 12 Championships when he crossed the finish line in 20.08. He is also ranked second nationally in the 60 at 6.52. Oduduru is the first athlete from Texas Tech to win this award since Kennedy Kithuka in 2013.
NORTHEAST REGION – Paul Hogan – UMass Lowell
Hogan, a senior from Burlington, Massachusetts, is ranked 23rd nationally in the 5000 at 13:46.87 OT and 42nd nationally in the 3000 at 7:58.00. He swept the distance slate clean at the America East Conference Championships and was named America East Track Athlete of the Year for his efforts. Hogan is the first athlete in program history to win this award.
SOUTH REGION – Grant Holloway – Florida
Holloway, a junior from Chesapeake, Virginia, has been sensational in 2019. Just last weekend at the SEC Championships, Holloway broke the single-meet scoring record with 28 points, which included victories in both the 60 and 60 hurdles, a feat that had only been done once in SEC history up until that point. Holloway ran two of the fastest times in collegiate history in the 60H this season (7.43, 7.44) and matched the No. 9 performance in NCAA history in the open 60 at 6.51. This is the second year in a row that Holloway has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Kahmari Montgomery – Houston | Co-Winner
Montgomery, a senior from Plainfield, Illinois, is ranked first nationally in the 400 with a time of 45.04, which made him the ninth fastest performer in collegiate history. He is also ranked sixth nationally in the 200 in 20.63. Montgomery also ran a leg on Houston’s 4×400 relay team that is ranked first nationally at 3:01.51. Montgomery is the second athlete in a row from Houston to win this award (Elijah Hall).
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Devin Dixon – Texas A&M | Co-Winner
Dixon, a junior from McDonough, Georgia, clocked the fourth fastest time over 800 meters in collegiate history of 1:45.27 at the Texas Tech Classic/Multi. He is also ranked sixth nationally in the 400 at 45.68 and posted the fastest carry in world history in the indoor 4×400 with a 44.24 split. Dixon is the third Texas A&M athlete to win this award in the past seven years.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Daniel Roberts – Kentucky
Roberts, a junior from Hampton, Georgia, became the fourth fastest performer with the sixth fastest performance in collegiate history when he clocked a time of 7.48 in the 60 hurdles at the SEC Championships. It was also the fastest non-race-winning time in collegiate history. He is also ranked 19th nationally in the 60 at 6.63. Roberts is the first athlete from Kentucky to win this award since Matt Hillenbrand in 2014.
WEST REGION – Grant Fisher – Stanford
Fisher, a junior from Grand Blanc, Michigan, became the fourth fastest performer with the fourth fastest time in collegiate history in the 3000 when he won the elite section in 7:42.62 at the NYRR Millrose Games in early February. He also anchored Stanford’s DMR team to an MPSF title as well as an NCAA berth with a 3:56 carry. Fisher is the first athlete from Stanford to win this award since Elliott Heath in 2011.
Women’s Track Athletes of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Alicia Monson – Wisconsin
Monson, a junior from Amery, Wisconsin, won the elite section of the 3000 at the NYRR Millrose Games in a time of 8:45.97, which made her the third fastest performer with the third fastest performance in collegiate history. She is also ranked 11th nationally in the 5000 with a time of 15:34.53. Monson is the first athlete from Wisconsin to win this award since Gwen Jorgensen in 2009.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Danae Rivers – Penn State
Rivers, a junior from Derby, Connecticut, is ranked first nationally in the mile at 4:29.47 and third nationally in the 800 at 2:02.94. She also set a collegiate record in the 1000 with her time of 2:38.58 at the Nittany Lion Challenge. This is the third year in a row that Rivers has won this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Marleena Eubanks – Kansas
Eubanks, a senior from Kingston, Jamaica, is ranked fifth nationally in the 800 at 2:03.99A. That time won her the individual title at the Big 12 Championships and set a meet record. Eubanks is the first athlete from Kansas to win this award since Diamond Dixon in 2014.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Weini Kelati – New Mexico
Kelati, a sophomore from Leesburg, Virginia, is ranked in the top-3 nationally in three different events: 5000 (2nd, 15:15.24), 3000 (3rd, 8:53.98) and the mile (3rd, 4:31.70cA). Her time in the 5000 made her the fifth fastest performer in collegiate history, while her time in the 3000 made her the 10th fastest performer in that event. Kelati is the second athlete in a row from New Mexico to win this award (Ednah Kurgat).
NORTHEAST REGION – Millie Paladino – Providence
Paladino, a senior from Morgantown, West Virginia, is ranked 10th nationally in the mile at 4:33.79 and 51st nationally in the 3000 at 9:19.50. She also clocked a time of 2:42.13 in the 1000 earlier this season, which is the 12th fastest mark in collegiate history. Paladino is the first athlete from Providence to win this award since Emily Sisson in 2015.
SOUTH REGION – Lynna Irby – Georgia
Irby, a sophomore from Indianapolis, Indiana, is ranked first nationally in the 400 with a time of 52.02, which won her the individual title at the SEC Championships. She also ran a leg of Georgia’s 4×400 that broke and then bettered its own program record this season. This is the second year in a row that Irby has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Payton Chadwick – Arkansas
Chadwick, a senior from Springdale, Arkansas, is ranked fourth nationally in the 60 hurdles at 7.98 and sixth nationally in the 200 at 22.97. She had a stellar performance at the SEC Championships two weeks ago when she won the 60 hurdles, finished runner-up in the 200 and ran a leg of Arkansas’ fourth-place 4×400 relay. Chadwick is the first athlete from Arkansas to win this award since Dominique Scott in 2015.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Kayla White – North Carolina A&T
White, a senior from Miami, Florida, is ranked second nationally in the 200 at 22.82 and fifth nationally in the 60 Hurdles at 8.04. She scored 28 points and established two meet records at the MEAC Championships on her way to being named the Most Outstanding Athlete. White is the first athlete in program history to win this award.
WEST REGION – Jessica Hull – Oregon
Hull, a senior from Albion Park, Australia, is ranked second nationally in both the 3000 (8:53.91) and the mile (4:31.03). Her best mark in the 3000 is the 13th best all-conditions performance in collegiate history. Hull is the fifth different athlete from Oregon to win this award.
Men’s Field Athletes of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Matt Ludwig – Akron
Ludwig, a senior from Chadron, Ohio, is ranked second nationally in the pole vault at 5.83m (19-1½), a mark that put him on the all-time collegiate list. He set a meet record at the MAC Championships two weeks ago when he cleared 5.81m (19-0¾). Ludwig is the first athlete from Akron to win this award since John Russell in 2006.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Adam Kelly – Princeton
Kelly, a senior from Barrington, Rhode Island, is ranked seventh nationally in the weight throw at 22.53m (73-11). He is 5-1 in the event this season, which included victories at the NYRR Millrose Games and the Ivy League Championships. Kelly is the first athlete from Princeton to win this award since Damon McLean in 2013.
MIDWEST REGION – Payton Otterdahl – North Dakota State
Otterdahl, a senior from Rosemount, Minnesota, has put together a dream season. Just two weeks ago at the Summit League Championships, Otterdahl broke the collegiate record in the shot put with his heave of 21.81m (71-6¾). He also has two other marks that are in the all-time top-10. Not only that, but Otterdahl is also ranked first nationally in the weight throw at 24.06m (78-11¼). Otterdahl is the first athlete in program history to win this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Odaine Lewis – Texas Tech
Lewis, a senior from Montego Bay, Jamaica, is ranked fourth nationally in the long jump at 7.99m (26-2¾) and seventh nationally in the triple jump at 16.69m (54-9¼). He scored 14 total points toward Texas Tech’s team-title-winning haul at the Big 12 Championships. Lewis is the fifth different athlete from Texas Tech to win this award in the past five years.
NORTHEAST REGION – Owen Russell – Brown
Russell, a senior from Attleboro, Massachusetts, is ranked 12th nationally in the shot put at 21.93m (71-11½). He is 5-1 in the event this season with his lone loss coming at the Ivy League Championships two weeks ago. Russell is the first athlete to win this award in program history.
SOUTH REGION – Denzel Comenentia – Georgia
Comenentia, a senior from Amsterdam, Netherlands, is ranked third nationally in both the shot put at 20.72m (67-11¾) and weight throw at 23.52m (77-2). His shortest performance in the shot put was 65-9, while his shortest mark in the weight throw would still be in the top-10 nationally this season. This is the second year in a row that Comenentia has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Mondo Duplantis – LSU
Duplantis, a freshman from Lafayette, Louisiana, broke the collegiate record in the pole vault at the SEC Championships when he cleared 5.92m (19-5). He owns three of the top-7 highest clearances in collegiate history and is undefeated in 2019. Duplantis is the first LSU athlete to win this award since Damar Forbes in 2012.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Jordan Scott – Virginia
Scott, a junior from Portmore, Jamaica, is ranked second nationally in the triple jump at 16.90m (55-5½) and sixth regionally in the long jump at 7.58m (24-10½). His best mark in the triple jump also doubles as an ACC and school record. Scott is the first Virginia athlete to win this award since Marcus Robinson in 2012.
WEST REGION – Jordan Geist – Arizona
Geist, a sophomore from Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, is ranked second nationally in the shot put at 21.15m (69-4¾) and is undefeated so far in that event. He is also ranked 32nd nationally in the weight throw at 20.60m (67-7), an event in which he never finished outside the top-2. This is the second year in a row that Geist has won this award.
Women’s Field Athletes of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Sade Olatoye – Ohio State
Olatoye, a senior from Dublin, Ohio, is ranked first nationally in both the shot put (17.88m/58-8) and weight throw (24.07m/78-11¾). Both of her best marks in the throws events established new Big Ten records. She was a five-time Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, which had never been done before and never placed below the top-2 in any meet this season. Olatoye is the first athlete from Ohio State to win this award.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Madeline Holmberg – Penn State
Holmberg, a junior from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is ranked sixth nationally in the pentathlon with 4219 points. She is also ranked 22nd nationally in the long jump with a mark of 6.22m (20-5). Holmberg is the first athlete from Penn State to win this award since Rachel Fatherly in 2016.
MIDWEST REGION – Laulauga Tausaga – Iowa
Tausaga, a junior from Spring Valley, California, is ranked third nationally in both the shot put (17.79m/58-4½) and weight throw (23.26m/76-3¾). Her best mark in the weight throw is also a school record. Tausaga is the first athlete from Iowa to win this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Andrea Stapleton-Johnson – BYU
Stapleton-Johnson, a senior from Kennewick, Washington, is ranked first nationally in the high jump at 1.87m (6-1½). She has topped 1.83m (6-0) at two meets this season. Staples-Johnson is the first BYU athlete to win this award since Ada Robinson in 2011.
NORTHEAST REGION – Simi Fajemisin – Harvard
Fajemisin, a junior from Oxford, United Kingdom, is ranked 14th nationally in the triple jump at 13.27m (43-6½) and 13th regionally in the long jump at 5.78m (18-11¾). She was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer at the Ivy League Championships. Fajemisin is the fourth different athlete from Harvard to win this award in the past six years.
SOUTH REGION – Yanis David – Florida | Co-Winner
David, a senior from Lamentin, Guadeloupe, is ranked first nationally in the triple jump at 13.84m (45-5) and second nationally in the long jump at 6.46m (21-2½). She became the fourth woman in SEC history to sweep the horizontal jumps and is the only woman ranked in the top-10 nationally in both events. David is the first Florida athlete to win this award since Mariam Kevkhishvili in 2009.
SOUTH REGION – Michelle Atherley – Miami (Fla.) | Co-Winner
Atherley, a senior from North Port, Florida, is ranked first nationally in the pentathlon with a score of 4498 points, which is also the eighth best mark in collegiate history. She also placed third in the high jump at the ACC Championships. Atherley is the first athlete from Miami (Fla.) to win this award since Tabia Charles in 2006.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Lexi Jacobus – Arkansas
Jacobus, a senior from Cabot, Arkansas, is ranked first nationally in the pole vault at 4.68m (15-4¼), a mark that made won her the SEC individual title and helped her become the second best performer with the second best performance in collegiate history. She carries an undefeated record into the NCAA Championships. This is the second time that Jacobus has won this award in her career (2016).
SOUTHEAST REGION – Marie-Josée Ebwea-Excel – Kentucky
Ebwea-Excel, a senior from Paris, France, is ranked second nationally in the triple jump at 13.78m (45-2½). She is just one of two triple jumpers in the nation who eclipsed the 45-foot barrier this season. Ebwea-Excel is the third different athlete from Kentucky to win this award in the past three years.
WEST REGION – Bonnie Draxler – San Diego State
Draxler, a senior from Wrightstown, Wisconsin, is ranked third nationally in the pole vault at 4.52m (14-10). She has been the top collegiate finisher in every meet this season. Draxler is the first athlete from San Diego State to win this award since Shanieka Thomas in 2014.
Men’s Coaches of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Ron Helmer – Indiana
Helmer, is his 12th year as head coach at the program, coached his squad to runner-up honors at the Big Ten Indoor Championships with three individual event winners. His Indiana team enters the NCAA Championships ranked 11th in the National TFRI with seven entries. The Hoosiers are also the No. 1 team in the Great Lakes Region. This is the fourth time that Helmer has won this award.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Joe Compagni – Monmouth
Compagni, in his 24th year as the head of the Monmouth program, saw his team run away with the MAAC Indoor Championships. The Hawks scored 271.5 points, besting the runner-up by 155 points. Monmouth scored in all but one event at the conference championships and won ten of the meet’s 17 event titles. The group has IC4A qualifiers in 11 of 13 track events and all field events. Shot putter Corey Murphy also advanced ot the NCAA Championships. This is the first time that Compagni has won this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Gary Pepin – Nebraska
Pepin, in his 39th year as head coach, coached the Hoosiers to their third Big Ten Indoor Championships in the past five seasons. Nebraska scored 93 team pints with two individual event titles to win the meet by two points. The group had three athletes advance to the NCAA Championships and is the No. 1 team in the Midwest region. He was also named the Big Ten Men’s Indoor Coach of the Year. This is the second time that Pepin has won this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Wes Kittley – Texas Tech
Kittley, in his 20th year with the program, coached his Texas Tech squad to the Big 12 Indoor Championships with four event titles and an all-time meet best 179 points. The team will send a nation’s best 14 athletes to the NCAA Championships and enter nationals as the No. 1 team in the country, a spot they have held for the entire season. This is the fourth time that Kittley has won this award.
NORTHEAST REGION – Mike Smith – Army West Point
Smith, in his fifth year as head coach, led the Black Knights to their first Patriot League indoor title since 2010. His crew scored 260 points with seven event titles. Army West Point finished the regular season No. 1 in the region’s TFRI. This is the first time that Smith has won this award.
SOUTH REGION – Mike Holloway – Florida
Holloway, in his 17th year with the Gators, coached his Florida squad to the SEC Indoor Championships by 15 points without having to run a 4×400 unit at the end of the meet. The program has three individual event champions. Holloway helped Grant Holloway become the second man in history to sweep SEC titles in the 60 and 60H and coached four 60 SEC indoor finalists, only the second time since 2001 that a team accomplished the feat. The Gators have 13 entries to the NCAA Championships, which they enter as the No. 2 school in the country and the top team in the South Region. This is the fourth time that Holloway has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Leroy Burrell – Houston
Burrell, in his 21st year at the school, led Houston to its fifth straight victory at the American Conference Indoor Championships with seven individual event champions. The program has been consistently ranked in the top-5 nationally through the year and will enter the NCAA Championships as the No. 5 ranked program. His team has eight different top-11 rankings including two No. 1 event leaders. Burrell’s squad has seven entries at indoor nationals. This is the second time that Burrell has won this award in a row.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Dave Cianelli – Virginia Tech
Cianelli, in his 18th year with the program, coached Virginia Tech to the ACC Indoor Championships with three individual event champions and 15 All-ACC selections. His squad had six top-25 marks in the NCAA and set three school records this season. The Hookies will be sending three athletes to compete at the NCAA Championships. Virginia Tech is also the No. 1 team in the Southeast region. This is the sixth time that Cianelli has won this award.
WEST REGION – Chris Miltenberg – Stanford
Miltenberg, in his seventh year with the program, coached his Stanford men’s team to five new school records this season including two individuals that are among the top-two in the nation in their respective events heading into NCAAs. Grant Fisher broke an American collegiate record in the 3K and Harrison Williams is the top American collegian in the heptathlon. The Cardinal have four entries to the NCAA Championships, which they enter as the No. 13 ranked team in the nation. This is the first time that Miltenberg has won this award.
Women’s Coaches of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Karen Dennis – Ohio State
Dennis, in her 12th year as Director of Track & Field and Head Coach, coached the Buckeyes to a dominating win at the Big Ten Indoor Championships, with wins in seven different events. With four national qualifiers, Ohio State ranks seventh nationally and first in the Great Lake Region headed into the Championships. This is the fourth time that Dennis has won this award.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Steve Dolan – Penn
In his seventh year at Director of Track & Field, Dolan led Penn to its second-straight Ivy League Indoor Heptagonals title and earned Ivy League Coach of the Year honors behind wins in eight different conference events. Under Dolan’s leadership, the Quakers rewrote six school records during the 2019 indoor campaign. This is the second year in a row that Dolan has won this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Stevie Keller – North Dakota State
Keller, in his fifth year as Head Track & Field Coach at North Dakota State, led the Bison to a dominating 68-point win at The Summit League indoor championships. North Dakota State won four event titles at the conference meet and has three qualifiers to the NCAA Championships. This is the first time that Keller has won this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Brian Bedard – Colorado State
Bedard led Colorado State to the Mountain West Championships with four event titles. The Rams have three athletes qualified for the NCAA Championships, including two who rank in the top eight in their events. Bedard is in his 13th year as Head Coach at Colorado State. This is the second time that Bedard has won this award.
NORTHEAST REGION – Jason Saretsky – Harvard
Saretsky, in his 13th year as The William W. “Bill” McCurdy Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, led Harvard to the top spot in the Northeast Region rankings. The Crimson finished second at the Ivy League Heptagonals behind four event titles. This is the fourth time that Saretsky has won this award.
SOUTH REGION – Amy Deem – Miami (Fla.)
Deem led the Hurricanes to the Atlantic Coast Conference title on the strength of a 54-point second day performances from the sprints and hurdles group, including championship records in the 60 hurdles, 400 meters, and 4×400 relay. Deem, Miami’s Director of Track & Field / Cross Country, is in her 27th year as head coach at the school. This is the fourth time that Deem has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Lance Harter – Arkansas
Harter has led the way for an Arkansas women’s program that has been ranked number one in the country the entire season. Harter’s Razorbacks scored 151 points to win their fifth-straight Southeastern Conference indoor title and have qualified 15 athletes to the NCAA Championships. Harter is in his 29th year as Head Coach at Arkansas. This is the fifth time that Harter has won this award.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Duane Ross – North Carolina A&T
Ross, in his seventh year with the program, helped North Carolina A&T to its highest national team ranking in program history when it reached No. 14 earlier this season along with its third consecutive MEAC Indoor Championship with six event champions. The Aggies have two NCAA qualifiers in the 60H and 200 and Ross’s athlete Kayla White ran the world leading time in the 200 this year at 22.82. The program’s 60H squad is ranked third in the nation while the 60 group is sixth overall. This is the first time that Ross has won this award.
WEST REGION – Caryl Smith Gilbert – Southern California
In her sixth year as Director of Track & Field at USC, Smith Gilbert led the Trojans to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title behind five individual event wins and a win the 4×400 relay. USC ranks first in the West Region and second nationally headed into the national championships with twelve championships qualifiers. This is the fourth time that Smith Gilbert has won this award.
Men’s Assistant Coaches of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Tomasz Smialek – Akron
Smialek, in his 12th year at the school, coached his athletes to 49 points as the MAC Championships, which helped the Zips win the overall team title. Akron won the long jump, triple jump and the high jump at the MAC Championship meet. His long jump group is ranked third and his high jump athletes are 12th in the latest Event Squad Rankings. Had two athletes break school records in their respective events this season. This is the first time that Smialek has won this award.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – J.J. Hunter – Penn
Hunter, in his third year with the Penn program, helped the Quakers to a second-place team finish at the Ivy League Championships. His sprints group finished first in the 60, first and fourth in the 200, second in third in the 400, second in the 4×400 and second in the heptathlon to score 55 of the team’s 111 points at the championship meet. This is the first time that Hunter has won this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Justin St. Clair – North Dakota State
St. Clair’s throws crew has the nation’s No. 1 #EventSquad in the shot put and weight throw this season. He coached double collegiate-leader Payton Otterdahl to the collegiate shot put record (21.81m/71-6¾) and the No. 5 all-time rank in weight throw (24.06m/78-11¼). His crew took 57 of a possible 78 points in the throws at Summit League Championships, taking four of the top five in both events. St. Clair is in his eighth year with the program as associate head coach. This is the first time that St. Clair has been named Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year in the Midwest Region.
MOUNTAIN REGION – Calvin Robinson – Texas Tech
Robinson’s men’s sprinters asserted themselves as dominant force in the Big 12 and the country. His runners racked up 56 points en route to the most dominant victory in the history of the Big 12, including two separate 23-point swings in the 60 and 200. His runners own the top-two slots in the 200 nationally and two of the top-six in the 60m. He qualified five total student-athletes for the NCAA Championships. In addition, his sprinters earned the nation’s top #EventSquad ranking in both the 60 and 200 this season. He is in his fourth year with the program and the third time in the past four years that he has won this award.
NORTHEAST REGION – Marc Mangiacotti – Harvard
Working with the men’s sprints, hurdles, and horizontal jumps, Mangiacotti’s group scored 60 of team’s 103 points at Ivy League’s Heps. His crew won conference crowns in four events. He is in his seventh year with the program. This is the first time that Mangiacotti has won this award.
SOUTH REGION – John Ellis – Southern Miss
Ellis’ athletes combined for 46 at the Conference USA meet in the jumps, hurdles, and combined events as John Warren, a national qualifier seeded in the top five, won the league title in the triple jump. In addition, he coached Caleb Parker to a Conference title, Conference meet record and school record in the 60 meter hurdles (7.73). Eric Richards is a national qualifier and won the C-USA title in the high jump. Ellis is in his fifth year with the program. This is the first time that Ellis has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Carl Lewis – Houston
Lewis has helped lead Houston to a top-five ranking throughout the season and an American Conference championship. Groups under his leadership have eight top-11 marks in the nation including two No. 1 rankings. Groups swept The American titles with wins in the 60, 200, 400, 60 hurdles, 4×400 and long jump. Houston’s 4×4 relay clocked a 3:01.51, a time superior to the existing world record. In addition, the Coogs advanced seven entries to the NCAA Championships in sprints, hurdles, and jumps. This is the second year in a row that Lewis has won this award.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Tim Hall – Kentucky
Hall mentored Daniel Roberts to the sixth-fastest 60 meter hurdles time in collegiate history (7.48) as he took runner-up to world-leader Grant Holloway at the SEC Championships. Roberts also took fifth in the 60 meters at the SEC meet. Hall is in his first year at Kentucky. This is the first time that Hall has won this award.
WEST REGION – Ben Thomas – Oregon
Thomas leads five Ducks and a DMR to the NCAA Championships. Blake Haney, Charlie Hunter, and Reed Brown qualified in the mile while Cooper Teare and James West will contest the 3000. In final #EventSquad rankings, UO was the No. 1 squad in the Mile — as six from the team clocked sub-4:00 this season — No. 3 in the 3000 and No. 7 in the 800. Thomas is in his first year as Associate Head Coach with the program. This marks the third time in the past five years that an Oregon coach has won this award.
Women’s Assistant Coaches of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Ashley Kovacs – Ohio State
Kovacs, in her fifth year with the Ohio State program, helped her athlete Sade Olatoye win the Big Ten Championship in the shot put and weight throw, where she is also ranked No. 1 in both events heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships. Her athletes scored 22 points to help the Buckeyes win the Big Ten Championship. This is the first time that Kovacs has won this award.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Chris Tarello – Monmouth
Tarello, in his 11th year at the school, helped Monmouth capture the MAAC Indoor Championships. The Hawks tallied 187.5 points with the middle distance program playing a huge role in the victory. Tarello’s athletes went 1-2-4-5 in the 800, 1-4-8 in the mile and won both the 4×800 and DMR events. The Hawks had one NCAA qualifier in Allie Wilson (currently ranked second in the country in the 800). This is the first time that Tarello has won this award.
MIDWEST REGION – Justin St. Clair – North Dakota State
St. Clair, in his eighth year with the program, coached three athletes that qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships this season. His North Dakota women’s squad posted five marks that rank in the top-21 in the nation. His group claimed 52 of a possible 78 points to help the Bison capture their 12th straight Summit League Indoor title. NDSU ranks No. 1 in the country in the Event Squad in both the weight throw and shot put. Also coached the top freshman shot putter in the NCAA. This is the second time that St. Clair has won this award.
MOUNTAIN REGION – James Thomas – Texas Tech
Thomas, is his seventh year with the Red Raiders, used 2019 to further push the argument that Texas Tech is one of the best jump programs in the nation. His woman jumps crew advanced three to the NCAA Championships and the group was responsible for a combined 50 total points at the Big 12 Championships with 11 All-Big 12 honorees. Thomas also coached Zarriea Willis to the conference title in the high jump. This is the third time that Thomas has won this award.
NORTHEAST REGION – Kebba Tolbert – Harvard
Tolbert’s runners scored 80 of the team’s 102 points at the Ivy League’s Heps which included a 1-2-3-4 sweep in the women’s 60 and a 2-3 finish in the 60 meter hurdles. He also guided the women’s 500 meter champion to a record-setting time of 1:11.78 and the triple jump champion and the region’s Field Athlete of the Year, Simi Fajemisin, to an NCAA bid. Tolbert is in his sixth year as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator with the program. This is the fourth time that Tolbert has won this award.
SOUTH REGION – Brandon Hon – Florida State
Hon’s athletes scored 46 of the Seminoles’ 85 points in a runner-up ACC finish. Ka’Tia Seymour, won the conference’s 60 and 200 titles and won Track MVP honors to boot. Hon has four qualifiers into the NCAA Championship, including Jayla Kirkland in the 60 and 200. Hon is in his sixth year with the program as Director of Sprints, Hurdles & Relays. This is the second year in a row that Hon has won this award.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Bryan Compton – Arkansas
Compton led Lexi Jacobus to the NCAA No. 2 all-time clearance in the indoor pole vault (15-4¼/ 4.68m) as she captured the SEC title. As a group, Compton’s vaulters lead the nation with an four-person average clearance of 4.46m (14-7¼) as well as holding three of the top-10 marks in program history between Jacobus, Hoggard, and Freier. Compton also coached Kelsey Herman to an SEC title in the pentathlon. Compton is in his 20th year at Arkansas. This is the second time in the past three years that Compton has won this award.
SOUTHEAST REGION – Kris Grimes – Kentucky
Grimes coached Marie-Josee Ebwea-Excel to the SEC silver in the triple jump, and the nation’s No. 2 mark of 45-2½ (13.78m) which earned her USTFCCCA Athlete of the Week honors earlier this year. Ellen Ekholm claimed the SEC bronze in the high jump, and ranks sixth nationally from a school-record clearance of 6-0 (1.83m). Ebwea-Excel and Ekholm will compete at the NCAA Championships. Grimes is in his first year at Kentucky. This is the first time that Grimes has won this award.
WEST REGION – Quincy Watts – Southern California
Watts coached his athletes to seven NCAA Championship qualifying bids this season for the No. 2 team in the country. Kyra Constantine won the MPSF 400 meter crown in 52.07, No. 2 in the country. Kaelin Roberts ran 52.25 to win at the Texas Tech Classic and 52.54 to win at the MLK Invite. The 4×400 team has been ranked No. 1 all season, capturing the MPSF title and is undefeated. In #EventSquad rankings, USC is ranked No. 1 in the 200 meters, No. 1 in the 60 meter hurdles, and No. 3 in the 60 meters. Watts is in his sixth year as assistant coach if sprints and long hurdles. This is the first time that Watts has won this award.