2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field 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 winners will end their seasons at the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, set for this weekend at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Information on each of the winners can be found below.

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Oliver Thomas – WPI

Oliver, who hails from Goffstown, New Hampshire, is ranked first nationally – and tied as the second-best performer in NCAA DIII history – in the 60-meter hurdles with his 7.82. He has run sub-8 seconds five times this season and is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Alex Phillip – John Carroll

Phillip, who hails from Akron, Ohio, is ranked first nationally in the 5000 meters, second nationally in the 3000 meters and fifth nationally in the mile. Not only that, but Phillip helped John Carroll set an NCAA DIII record in the distance medley relay. Phillip was named the OAC Most Outstanding Distance Athlete of the Meet at the OAC Indoor Championships thanks to his conference record-breaking efforts in both the mile and 5000m and 26 overall points.

METRO REGION – Cheickna Traore – Ramapo

Traore, who hails from Jersey City, New Jersey, is ranked third nationally in the 200 meters and seventh nationally in the 60 meters. His mark of 21.34 in the 200 ranks him among the top-6 performers in NCAA DIII history. Traore completed the 60-200 double at the NJAC Indoor Championships and won the 200 at the Metropolitan Indoor Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Matthew Kleiman – Johns Hopkins

Kleiman, who hails from Concord, Massachusetts, is ranked 10th nationally in the mile with his 4:08.72 effort from the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational. He went sub-4:10 on three different occasions this season. Kleiman also anchored Johns Hopkins to victory in the distance medley relay at the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships with a 4:07.94 split.

MIDEAST REGION – Aidan Ryan – Williams

Ryan, who hails from New York, New York, set NCAA DIII records in both the mile (3:56.86) and the 3000 meters (7:54.48). He also anchored Williams to the second-fastest performance in NCAA DIII history in the distance medley relay with his 3:56 split. Ryan originally set the NCAA DIII all-conditions, all-time best in the 3000m before taking down the recognized record.

MIDWEST REGION – Dallas Wright – Wartburg

Wright, who hails from Carlisle, Iowa, is ranked among the top seasonal performers in three different individual events: 200 meters (21.62), 400 meters (48.11) and 60-meter hurdles (8.02). Wright scored 30 points at the American Rivers Indoor Championships thanks to his unheard of 60H-200-400 triple and led Wartburg to a runner-up team finish at the meet.

NIAGARA REGION – Kieran Sheridan – SUNY Geneseo

Sheridan, who hails from Geneseo, New York, is ranked second nationally in the 400 meters and 14th nationally in the 800 meters. He has run 48.62 or faster six times in the open 400 this season, including his seasonal best of 48.25. Sheridan set a championships meet record at the SUNYAC Indoor Championships in the 400 and won the event at the AARTFC Championships.

NORTH REGION – Sam Blaskowski, UW-La Crosse

Blaskowski, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is one of the fastest men over 60 meters in NCAA DIII history with his 6.70 clocking from the prelims of the WIAC Indoor Championships that put him at No. 4 on the all-time list. He is ranked first nationally in that event, as well as sixth in the 200 meters with his 21.84 effort.

SOUTH REGION – Sam Llaneza – Lynchburg

Llaneza, who hails from Bristow, Virginia, is ranked third nationally in the mile at 4:07.78. He scored 16 points at the ODAC Indoor Championships with a victory in the mile and a third-place finish in the 800 meters. That helped the Hornets win the team title by a sizable margin.

WEST REGION – Tucker Cargile – Redlands (Calif.)

Cargile, who hails from Denver, Colorado, is ranked second nationally in the mile at 4:04.47. He is also ranked second regionally in the 800 meters at 1:55.19.

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Ben Drummey – Southern Maine

Drummey, who hails from Biddeford, Maine, is ranked second nationally in the pole vault at 5.12m (16-9½). He is 8-1 in pole vault finals this season with his only loss coming at the New England DIII Men’s Indoor Championships. Drummey won the Little East Conference Indoor title one week prior with a clearance of 4.95m (16-2¾).

GREAT LAKES REGION – Tanner Slack – Mount Union

Slack, who hails from New Concord, Ohio, is ranked second nationally in the high jump at 2.11m (6-11). He set his seasonal best in a winning effort at the OAC Indoor Championships, where he also established a meet record. Slack added a fifth-place finish in the triple jump at the meet.

METRO REGION – Ahmir Johnson – Rowan

Johnson, who hails from Penllyn, Pennsylvania, is ranked third nationally in the triple jump at 14.92m (48-11½) and 12th nationally in the long jump at 7.25m (23-9½). He won the triple jump at both the NJAC Indoor Championships and the AARTFC Indoor Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Justin Canedy – Johns Hopkins

Canedy, who hails from Medina, Ohio, is ranked third nationally in the heptathlon with 5245 points and seventh nationally in the triple jump at 14.81m (48-7¼). He scored 20 points in field events at the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships by sweeping the horizontal jumps.

MIDEAST REGION – Josh Silvester – Springfield (Mass.)

Silvester, who hails from Manchester, Connecticut, is ranked sixth nationally in the triple jump at 14.83m (48-8). He won the triple jump at the New England DIII Men’s Indoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Ryan Rogers – Loras

Rogers, who hails from Dubuque, Iowa, is ranked second nationally in the heptathlon with 5272 points. He is also ranked eighth nationally in the pole vault at 4.92m (16-1¾). He scored 18 points in field events at the American Rivers Indoor Championships by winning the pole vault, placing fourth in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump.

NIAGARA REGION – Kyle Rollins – St. John Fisher

Rollins, who hails from Groveland, New York, tied the third-best performer in NCAA DIII history in the high jump with his clearance of 2.20m (7-2½) at the AARTFC Indoor Championships. That was also the best topper by an NCAA DIII athlete since 1993. Rollins made quick work of the jumps at the Empire 8 Indoor Championships with victories in all three events (HJ, LJ, TJ).

NORTH REGION – Marcus Weaver – UW-Eau Claire

Weaver, who hails from Lewiston, Wisconsin, set the NCAA DIII record in the heptathlon with his 5533-point total at the Warren Bowlus Open. He is also tied for eighth nationally in the high jump at 2.06m (6-9).

SOUTH REGION – Anthony Jordan – Piedmont

Jordan, who hails from Adel, Georgia, is ranked second nationally in the long jump at 7.45m (24-5½). He is 3-1 in long jump finals this year and undefeated in the triple jump, which includes a sweep of those events at the JDL DIII Atlantic Indoor Championships.

WEST REGION – Keaton Wood – Linfield

Wood, who hails from Lake Oswego, Oregon, is ranked sixth nationally in the heptathlon with 4959 points. He amassed that score at the St. Olaf Quad, where he placed first in a 14-man field and was nearly 100 points clear of the runner-up finisher.

Men’s Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Brian Chabot – WPI

Chabot, in his 14th year at WPI, has the Engineers consistently ranked in the USTFCCCA National TFRI all season long. In the #EventSquad Rankings, his team is ranked No. 1 in the 60H led by Oliver Thomas, who tied the second-best all-time mark in NCAA Division III history. Chabot has athletes ranked No. 1 in the 60H, No. 8 in the 800 and No. 9 in the distance medley relay heading into the NCAA Championships. He also coached his athletes to three school records in the 60H, 5000 and DMR.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union

Lucas, in his 13th year at Mount Union, led the Purple Raiders to the team title at the OAC Indoor Track & Field Championships with 248 points and had seven event championships. Lucas has his team ranked No. 6 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region. The Purple Raiders will have nine entries for the NCAA Championships, including the top-ranked athlete in the pole vault.

METRO REGION – Dustin Dimit – Rowan

Dimit, in his eighth year at Rowan, has led the Profs to the team title at the NJAC and AARTFC Championships with eight and five event champions, respectively. Rowan is the top-ranked team in the Metro Region and ranked No. 8 in the latest USTFCCCA National TFRI. The Profs have eight qualifiers for the NCAA Championships

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Gary Aldrich – Carnegie Mellon

Aldrich, in his eighth year at Carnegie Mellon, led the Tartans to a runner-up finish at the UAA Indoor Track & Field Championships and had athletes capture five event crowns. The Tartans are currently ranked No. 15 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. His athletes are No. 2 in the shot put, No. 7 in the 5000, No. 5 in the triple jump, and No. 15 in the long jump. Aldrich’s athletes also set six school records and notched 23 top-5 all-time performances in CMU history.

MIDEAST REGION – Ethan Barron – Williams

Barron, in his seventh year at Williams, led the Ephs to a runner-up finish at the New England Championships. Barron has his team ranked No. 4 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 1 in the Mideast Region. The Ephs have 15 performances ranked among the top-50 nationally, including Aidan Ryan’s top-ranked efforts in the mile and 3000.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his ninth year at Lopras, led the Duhawks to the team title at the American Rivers Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Duhawks won by 37 points and won six event titles. Jones had his team ranked among the top-5 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI all season long and are currently No. 3 in the Pre-Championships edition. He coached athletes to six school records and two top-10 performances all-time in NCAA DIII history.

NIAGARA REGION – Christopher Popovici – SUNY Geneseo

Popovici, in his eighth year at SUNY Geneseo, led the Knights to the team title at the SUNYAC Indoor Track & Field Championships with 237 points. The Knights scored in every event contested and had eight event champions. His athletes have broken seven school records and ranked among the top-10 nationally in the 3000, 5000, 4×400 relay and distance medley relay. Popovici has his team ranked No. 7 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and has been the top-ranked team in the region.

NORTH REGION – Justin Kinseth – UW-Oshkosh

Kinseth, in his fifth year at UW-Oshkosh, led the Titans to the team title at the WIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships for the first time since 2001 and captured five event titles. Kinseth oversees six event groups that are ranked first or second in the region. Those same event groups are also ranked among the top-5 in the #EventSquad Rankings. UW-Oshkosh is ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI

SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory

Nguyen, in his third year at Emory, led the Eagles to a fourth-place finish at the UAA Indoor Track & Field Championships and coached two event champs. The Eagles have been the top-ranked team in the region throughout the season. His athletes have combined for 24 top-10 regional event ranking, including the top-ranked performances in the 400 and 4×400 relay. On the national level, Nguyen has nine event groups ranked in the #EventSquad Rankings, including the fifth-best squad in the 800.

WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox

Smith, in his 16th year at George Fox, had the Bruins ranked No. 1 all season long in the West Region. He coached six All-Region athletes and one All-Region relay. The Bruins are ranked in the top-15 in three events in the #EventSquad Rankings. George Fox has one qualifier for the NCAA Championships.

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Miles Ketchum – WPI

Ketchum, in his 10th year at WPI, led the Engineers’ 60 hurdles group to unprecedented success. Individually, Oliver Thomas led the nation in moving to No. 2 all-time in NCAA DIII history, while the program’s top-4 rated No. 1 in the Event Squad rankings nationally.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Seth Ware – Trine

Ware, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Trine, coached athletes who scored 85 of the Thunder’s 208 points in winning the MIAA Indoor Championships.Six of his athletes are ranked in the top-10 regionally, topped by Jake Gladieux, who rates No. 9 nationally.

METRO REGION – Norman Tate – Rowan

Tate, in his 14th year as assistant coach at Rowan, coached athletes who accounted for 113 of the team’s 184.5 points in winning the NJAC Championships, as well as 53 of the Prof’s 98 points to claim the AARTFC Championships. His athletes earned Rookie of the Year, Runner of the Year and Field Event Athlete of the Year in the NJAC.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Alex Jebb – Johns Hopkins

Jebb, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Johns Hopkins, coached athletes who scored 69 points as the Blue Jays won the Centennial Conference Championships. Two of his athletes won conference titles, including LJ/TJ winner Justin Canedy.

MIDEAST REGION – Dusty Lopez – Williams

Lopez, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Williams, mentored one of the nation’s top distance programs. Not only did his athletes set national records in the mile and 3000, the group also rated No. 2 in the country in the distance medley relay.

MIDWEST REGION – Bob Schultz – Loras

Schulz. In his ninth year as assistant coach at Loras, coached the Duhawks distance groups to school records in the 800, mile, 4×800 and distance medley – the latter rating No. 3 all-time in NCAA DIII history. The Duhawks were No. 1 nationally in the 800 Event Squad rankings.

NIAGARA REGION – Kevin Gardner – Penn State Behrend

Gardner, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Penn State Behrend, guided high jumpers to the No. 2 and No. 3 positions regionally – No. 4 and No. 6 nationally – while working with limited facilities due to construction. Still, the Behrend Lions have seen their school record broken twice this year.

NORTH REGION – Jeff Miller – UW-Whitewater

Miller, in his 40th year as assistant coach at UW-Whitewater, coached athletes who contributed 48 of the team’s 104 points at the WIAC Championships. His athletes ranked 1-2-3 regionally in both the 3000 and 5000, led by David Fassbender, who is No. 11 in the 5000 in NCAA DIII history.

SOUTH REGION – Jake Reed – Lynchburg

Reed, in his seventh year at Lynchburg, guided its distance group to contributing 92 points as the Hornets won the ODAC Championships team title. The Hornets distance crew won four events, all with meet records – 800, mile, 3000 and distance medley relay.

WEST REGION – Dominic Lopez – Redlands (Calif.)

Lopez, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Redlands, coached the nation’s No. 2 miler in Tucker Cargile.

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Ari Marks – Wellesley

Marks, who hails from Eagle Point, Oregon, is ranked among the top-6 seasonal performers nationally in the 5000 meters (No. 2, 16:41.29) and 3000 meters (No. 6, 9:41.73). Both of those marks that she ran came in winning efforts at the New England DIII Women’s Indoor Championships.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Evie Miller – Trine

Miller, who hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is ranked among the top-5 seasonal performers nationally in the mile (No. 2) and 3000 meters (No. 5). She ran those marks in back-to-back weeks, including a runner-up finish in a strong field in the mile at the Alex Wilson Invitational.

METRO REGION – Laura Mathews – Stevens

Mathews, who hails from Denville, New Jersey, is ranked ninth nationally in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.79. She scored 31.75 points at the Middle Atlantic Indoor Championships thanks to individual victories in the 60, 200 and 60H and also ran legs on the 4×200 and 4×400 relays. Mathews is undefeated in the 60H this season and the top athlete regionally in two events.

Co-MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Ella Baran – Johns Hopkins

Baran, who hails from Plymouth, Minnesota, broke NCAA DIII records in both the mile and 3000 meters that had stood for more than 15 years. Her 4:40.53 mile came at the Dr. Sander Columbia Challenge and then went 9:13.32 over 15 laps exactly one week later in Boston. Baran, otherwise, captured individual titles in the mile at both the Centennial Conference Championships and the Gotham Cup Mile.

Co-MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Esther Seeland, Messiah

Seeland, who hails from State College, Pennsylvania, set an NCAA DIII record in the 800 meters of 2:05.39 at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational. Just one week earlier, Seeland originally broke the record with her 2:05.90. That gives her the two fastest marks in NCAA DIII history. Seeland also scored 35 points at the Middle Atlantic Indoor Championships with individual victories in the 400, 800 and mile, as well as helping the title-winning 4×800 and distance medley relays.

MIDEAST REGION – Grace Devanny – Wesleyan (Conn.)

Devanny, who hails from Concord, New Hampshire, is ranked among the top-6 seasonal performers nationally in both the 400 meters (No. 3) and 200 meters (No. 6). She won individual titles in both the 200 and 400 at the New England DIII Women’s Indoor Championships and helped the title-winning 4×200 and 4×800 relays.

MIDWEST REGION – Kassie Parker – Loras

Parker, who hails from Guttenberg, Iowa, became the first woman in NCAA DIII history to dip under the 16-minute barrier in the 5000 meters with her 15:58.58 effort at the Iowa State Classic. That mark also gave Parker the all-time, all-conditions best in the event. Parker also holds the second-fastest mark in NCAA DIII history in the 3000 meters at 9:13.10. Needless to say, she leads the nation in both of those events and is top-3 in the mile, too.

NIAGARA REGION – Tia Jones – Ithaca

Jones, who hails from Vestal, New York, is ranked first nationally in both the 60 meters and 200 meters. She completed the 60-200 sweep at the Liberty League Indoor Championships and hit the national-leading mark in the 200 of 24.82 in the process.

NORTH REGION – Kelsie Sealock – Bethel (Minn.)

Sealock, who hails from Plymouth, Minnesota, is ranked first nationally in the 60-meter hurdles with a converted 8.56. She scored 15 points at the MIAC Indoor Championships with a victory in the 55-meter hurdles and helping out on the winning 4×200 and 4×400 relays.

SOUTH REGION – Katelyn Gamble – Washington and Lee

Gamble, who hails from Houston, Texas, is ranked fifth nationally in the 60 meters at 7.63. She scored 16 points at the ODAC Indoor Championships with runner-up finishes in the 60 and 200.

WEST REGION – Andrea Lyon – Redlands (Calif.)

Lyon, who hails from Danville, California, is ranked among the top-10 seasonal performers nationally in the 400 meters with her 56.53 effort. She also placed sixth in a primarily NCAA DI field in the 400 at the Ron Mann Classic hosted by Northern Arizona.

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Katy Nippert – WPI

Nippert, who hails from Salem, New Hampshire, is ranked second nationally in the long jump at 5.88m (19-3½). She is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season and won the event title at the New England DIII Women’s Indoor Championships.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kennady Gibbins – Mount Union

Gibbins, who hails from Navarre, Ohio, is ranked second nationally in the pentathlon with 3592 points and third nationally in the high jump at 1.71m (5-7¼). She scored 25 points at the OAC Indoor Championships thanks to a victory in the high jump, a runner-up finish in the long jump and a fifth-place effort in the shot put.

METRO REGION – Anna Cooney – Widener

Cooney, who hails from Nottingham, Pennsylvania, is ranked seventh nationally in the shot put at 14.23m (46-8¼). She scored 18 points in throwing events at the Middle Atlantic Indoor Championships with a victory in the shot put and a runner-up finish in the weight throw.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Annie Gutierrez – Johns Hopkins

Gutierrez, who hails from Coral Gables, Florida, is ranked among the top-10 seasonal performers nationally in both the pentathlon (No. 6, 3499) and pole vault (No. 8, 3.83m/12-6¾). She won the pole vault at the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships with a meet record that also happens to be her seasonal best.

MIDEAST REGION – Chelsea Yang – Rhode Island College

Yang, who hails from Warwick, Rhode Island, is ranked first nationally in the weight throw at 19.09m (62-7¾). She is undefeated this season against NCAA DIII competition in the event.

MIDWEST REGION – Isabel Maletich – Chicago

Maletich, who hails from Woodridge, Illinois, matched the NCAA DIII record in the triple jump with her 12.71m (41-8½) effort at the UAA Indoor Championships. She is ranked first nationally in both the triple jump and long jump (5.96m/19-6¾) and has only lost once all season.

NIAGARA REGION – Meghan Matheny – Ithaca

Matheny, a junior from Ithaca, New York, is ranked first nationally in the pole vault at 4.00m (13-1½), a clearance that won her the event title at the AARTFC Indoor Championships. She has five of the top-6 bars by an NCAA DIII athlete this season and won seven of nine meets.

NORTH REGION – Hannah Zenkovich – UW-La Crosse

Zenkovich, who hails from Antigo, Wisconsin, is ranked first nationally in the pentathlon with 3741 points and sixth nationally in the long jump at 5.79m (19-0). Her total in the pentathlon puts her among the top-6 performers in NCAA DIII history. Zenkovich scored 18 points at the WIAC Indoor Championships by winning the pentathlon and a runner-up finish in the long jump.

SOUTH REGION – Alyssa Roach – Christopher Newport

Roach, who hails from Yorktown, Virginia, is ranked first regionally in the pentathlon with 3165 points. She scored 15 points at the C2C Indoor Championships thanks to winning the long jump and placing fourth in the high jump.

WEST REGION – Abby McPhillips – UC Santa Cruz

McPhillips, who hails from Oak Park, California, is ranked among the top-10 performers nationally in the high jump and first regionally in both that event and pentathlon. She won the high jump at the C2C Indoor Championships.

Women’s Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Kristen Morwick – Tufts

Morwick, in her 21st year at Tufts, led the Jumbos to a runner-up finish in the team standings at the New England Division III Championships and captured three event crowns. Morwick has coached athletes to six national top-20 performances, including the second-ranked high jumper, third-ranked pole vaulter and eighth-ranked triple jumper. The Jumbos are ranked No. 16 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the East Region.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union

Lucas, in his 13th year at Mount Union, led the Purple Raiders to the team title at the OAC Indoor Championships with 228 points and won seven events. Lucas has the Purple Raiders ranked No. 7 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region. Mount Union has eight qualifiers for the NCAA Championships across seven events.

METRO REGION – Justin Lindsey – TCNJ

Lindsey, in his 13th year at TCNJ, led the Lions to a fourth-place team finish at the AARTFC Championships, where his athletes won three event titles and set a facility and meet record in the 4×200 relay. Lindsey was also named the NJAC Coach of the Year after guiding his athletes to seven event crowns. He has coached athletes to 26 performances that are ranked among the top-10 regionally, including four regional leaders. The Lions are ranked No. 35 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the Metro Region. TCNJ has qualified athletes in the 800 and 4×400 relay for the NCAA Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Bobby Van Allen – Johns Hopkins

Van Allen, in his 23rd year at Johns Hopkins, led the Blue Jays to the team title at the Centennial Conference Championships, winning with 343 points to set a new meet record and had 13 event champions. The Blue Jays have combined for 13 top-15 nationally ranked marks with four of them inside the top-5, including the top-ranked performer in the mile, second-ranked athlete in the 3000 and fourth-ranked long jumper. Johns Hopkins is ranked No. 2 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the region.

MIDEAST REGION – Nate Hoey – Williams

Hoey, in his ninth year at Williams, led the Ephs to the team title at the New England Championships and captured four event crowns. Hoey’s athletes have combined for 19 national top-50 marks. The Ephs have ten entries for the NCAA Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his ninth year at Loras, led the Duhawks to the team title at the American Rivers Conference Championships and had nine event champions. The Duhawks are currently ranked No. 2 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and have been ranked No. 1 five times this year. Jones has coached athletes to eight school records. In the #EventSquad Rankings, the Duhawks are ranked No. 1 in the 200 and 400 and No. 2 in the 60.

NIAGARA REGION – Christopher Popovici – SUNY Geneseo

Popovici, in his eighth year at SUNY Geneseo, led the Knights to the team title at the SUNYAC Championships with 337 points, scoring more than every team combined in the standings. The Knights won every individual event on the track and notched 14 event crowns total. SUNY Geneseo also won the AARTFC Championship. Popovici’s athletes set seven school records and has two individuals, plus the 4×400 relay, ranked among the top-4 nationally. The Knights are ranked among the top-10 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and the top-ranked team in the region.

NORTH REGION – Nickolas Davis – UW-La Crosse

Davis, in his fifth year at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the WIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships with 244 points – the most points scored since 1996 – and coached six event champions. Under Davis’ direction, his team is ranked No. 1 in the 60H, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put and the pentathlon in the #EventSquad Rankings. The Eagles have 15 nationally qualified performances with nine of them in the top-10 nationally. His athletes have also broken four school records this year. UW-La Crosse is ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA National TFRI and No. 1 in the North Region.

SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory

Nguyen, in his third year at Emory, led the Eagles to a fourth-place team finish at the UAA Championships. The Eagles have seven event groups ranked in the top-22 nationally in the #EventSquad Rankings. Emory also has 26 athletes ranked in the top-10 regionally with the top-ranked performances in the 800, 4×400 relay, distance medley relay and the weight throw. Nguyen’s athletes also hold the top-5 marks in the 800 and three of the top-10 marks in the mile. Emory has been the top-ranked team in the South Region each week.

WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox

Smith, in his 19th year at George Fox, had the Bruins ranked No. 1 in the West Region and the Northwest Conference the entire season. Smith coached 18 All-Region athletes and two All-Region relay. The Bruins have one qualifier for the NCAA Championships.

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Troy Irvine – Colby

Irvine, in his third year as assistant coach at Colby, has his jumpers score half of the White Mules’ points at the New England Championships. Under his direction, he has the fourth-ranked long triple jump squad and the ninth-ranked high jump group in the #EventSquad Rankings. Irvine’s athletes have combined for eight top-10 performances in school history.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Tyler Neff – Mount Union

Neff, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Mount Union, coached the sprint and relay events to 109 of the Purple Raiders’ 228 points in winning the OAC Indoor Championships. His athletes won five events – 60, 200, 400, 4×200 and 4×400 at the OAC meet. The team’s 4×400 rates No. 1 in the region and top sprinter Kenadee Wayt ranks among the top-10 nationally in three events.

METRO REGION – John Kolibab – Stevens

Kolibab, in his third year as assistant coach at Stevens, is the Ducks’ primary coach for all non-distance athletes, who accounted for 86 points as the team finished fourth in the MAC Indoor Championships. His athletes have 12 top-10 region performances in nine events ranging from the 60 to the pentathlon and include hurdling, jumping and throwing events.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Maura Knestout – Johns Hopkins
Knestout, in her fifth year as assistant coach at Johns Hopkins, qualified six athletes in the distance events for the NCAA Championships, including two-time NCAA DIII record holder Ella Baran in the mile and 3000. All six qualifiers will compete in the 3000. Knestout’s athletes have also notched three top-20 marks in the mile, two top-20 marks in the 5000 and have a top-8 ranked distance medley relay.

MIDEAST REGION – Brandon Gurver – Williams

Gurver, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Williams, guided pole vaulters to five of the top-10 marks in the region and one ranked No. 14 nationally. In the pentathlon, his athletes are ranked first and second in the region and both sit among the top-17 in the nation.

MIDWEST REGION – Justin McQuality – Chicago

McQuality, in his fourth season as assistant coach at Chicago, helped qualify several athletes to the NCAA Championships in the jumps and sprints. Individually, Isabel Maletich leads the nation in both the long jump and triple jump.

NIAGARA REGION – Matthew Scheffler – Ithaca

Scheffler, in his 16th year as assistant coach at Ithaca, coached the No. 1, No. 10 and No. 13 pole vaulters in the nation.

NORTH REGION – Eamon McKenna – UW-Oshkosh

McKenna, in his 10th year as assistant coach at UW-Oshkosh, led his athletes to score more than half of the Titans’ points at the WIAC Championships and coached three event champions. His group is nationally ranked No. 1 in the 800, No. 3 in the mile, No. 2 in the DMR and No. 6 in the 4×400 relay.

SOUTH REGION – Jake Reed – Lynchburg

Reed, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Lynchburg, coached athletes who contributed 82 of the team’s 194 points as the Hornets won the ODAC Championships title. The Hornets won four events and nine earned All-ODAC honors.

WEST REGION – Davis Kepon – UC Santa Cruz

Kepon, in his third year as assistant coach at UC Santa Cruz, helped guide Abby McPhillips to the C2C Conference Indoor title in the high jump and is tied for the No. 10 jump on the national list. Kepson also led McPhillips to the region’s top score in the pentathlon.