Award History
NAIA ITF Regional Awards2023 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Each of the five regions – Great Lakes, Midwest, South, South Central and West – honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes as well as 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 are headed to the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships next week in Brookings, South Dakota.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Bryan Hernandez-Rios – Grace (Ind.)
Hernandez-Rios, who hails from Twelve Mile, Indiana, is ranked fourth nationally in the mile at 4:08.64 and seventh nationally in the 3000 meters at 8:19.65. He was named the Crossroads League Runner of the Meet after winning the 3000 and helping the Lancers win both the DMR and the 4×800 relay. Hernandez-Rios also anchored the third-fastest DMR in NAIA history.
MIDWEST REGION – Payton Mauldin – Dordt (Iowa)
Mauldin, who hails from George, Iowa, is ranked among the top-3 nationally in two events: second in the 600 meters at 1:17.93; third in the 800 meters at 1:50.87. He was named the GPAC Men’s Athlete of the Meet after winning three individual titles at the GPAC Indoor Championships – 400, 600 and 800 – all in the span of 80 minutes.
SOUTH REGION – Bryn Woodall – Milligan (Tenn.)
Woodall, who hails from Conwy, Wales, leads the nation in the 1000 meters at 2:25.31 and is second nationally in the 3000 meters at 8:08.79. He was named the AAC Track Athlete of the Year after winning three individual titles at the AAC Indoor Championships: 1000 (a race in which he set his PR), mile and 3000 (a race in which he beat the national leader).
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Charles Dorsett III – Texas A&M-Texarkana
Dorsett III, who hails from Fort Worth, Texas, is ranked first nationally in the 800 meters at 1:49.50 and fifth nationally in the 600 meters at 1:19.34. He won the 600-yard title at the J.D. Martin Invitational back in mid-January at 1:11.90.
WEST REGION – Donte Sol – Multnomah (Ore.)
Sol, who hails from Wesley Chapel, Florida, tied the best-known NAIA record in the 60 meters of 6.61 at the Husky Classic. He went sub-6.70 twice this season in the 60 and also qualified in the 200 meters for the upcoming NAIA Indoor Championships.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Ja’Kelveon “JK” Jackson – Madonna (Mich.)
Jackson, who hails from Flint, Michigan, is ranked among the top-5 nationally in both the long jump (No. 4, 7.31m/23-11¾) and triple jump (No. 5, 15.16m/49-9). He won conference titles in both horizontal jumps and set PRs in the process.
MIDWEST REGION – Dylan Kucera – Midland (Neb.)
Kucera, who hails from Fremont, Nebraska, continued his dominance of the shot put. He finished the season with each of the 21 best throws in the nation and set a meet record at the GPAC Indoor Championships of 18.61m (61-0¾). Kucera, who has a seasonal best of 18.68m (61-3½), went undefeated in the shot put during the regular season, posting a perfect 7-0 record. He is also ranked second nationally in the weight throw at 20.23m (66-4½).
SOUTH REGION – Goodness Iredia – Cumberland (Tenn.)
Iredia, who hails from Nigeria, is ranked first nationally in both the long jump (7.56m/24-9¾) and triple jump (15.59m/51-1¾). He won conference titles at the Mid-South Conference Indoor Championships in both horizontal jumps and finished runner-up in the high jump.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Gavin Frantz – Columbia (Mo.)
Frantz, who hails from Hannibal, Missouri, is ranked tenth nationally in the weight throw at 18.38m (60-3¾). He swept both throwing events at the AMC Indoor Championships.
WEST REGION – Caleb Pouliot – The Master’s (Calif.)
Pouliot, who hails from Clovis, California, is the national leader in the pole vault with his 5.10m (16-8¾) clearance at the Soka Indoor Qualifier. He topped 4.75m (15-7) at every meet this season.
Men’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Mike Holman – Marian (Ind.)
Holman, in his 11th year at Marian (Ind.), led the Knights to the team title at the Crossroads League Championships with four event champions. The Knights have five top-3 #EventSquad rankings, including the top-ranked 600 meter squad.
MIDWEST REGION – Craig Heynen – Dordt (Iowa)
Heynen, in his 16th year at Dordt (Iowa), led the Defenders to the team title at the GPAC Championships with 204.5 points and had seven event champions. The Defenders have eight top-10 #EventSquad Rankings.
SOUTH REGION – Nick Dodson – Southeastern (Fla.)
Dodson, in his fifth year at Southeastern (Fla.), led the Fire to the team title at the Sun Conference Championships with 282 points behind 11 event champions and eight conference records. The Fire have five top-6 #EventSquad rankings, including the top-ranked 200 and 400 meter squads. Southeastern (Fla.) has been ranked No. 1 in the National TFRI all season long.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Alstin Benton – Saint Mary (Kan.)
Benton, in his ninth year at Saint Mary (Kan.), led the Spires to the team title at the KCAC Championships behind six event champions. The Spires have a trio of No. 4 billings in the #EventSquad Rankings in the 1000, 3000 and 5000.
WEST REGION – Ben Welch – Eastern Oregon
Welch, in his 21st year at Eastern Oregon, had the Mountaineers as the top-ranked team in the West Region for the duration of the season. The Mountaineers have national qualifiers in eight different events.
Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Jacob Poyner – Grace (Ind.)
Poyner, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Grace (Ind.), coached the Lancers’ distance group to top-10 #EventSquad Rankings in five events, topped by a No. 1 in the 800. Grace also rated No. 2 in the mile, No. 5 in 1000 and 3000 and No. 9 in the 5000. His athletes scored 55 of the team’s 62 points at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships. Earlier in the season the Lancers’ distance medley relay team clocked 9:49.19 this year, the third-fastest known NAIA mark all-time on any track size.
MIDWEST REGION – Nate Wolf – Dordt (Iowa)
Wolf, in his ninth year as assistant coach at Dordt (Iowa), coached the Defenders’ middle distance/distance crew to seven titles at the GPAC Indoor Championships, winning every individual title from 400 on up. His runners scored 131 of Dordt’s team-championship 204.5 points and went 1-5 in the 3000 and 5000, plus 1-3 in the mile. His athletes rate top-10 in #EventSquad Rankings in seven events – No. 2 in the 600, 3000 and 5000, No. 4 in the 400 and mile, No. 6 in the 1000 and No. in the 800.
SOUTH REGION – David Claybrooks – Keiser (Fla.)
Claybrooks, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Keiser (Fla.), coached the Seahawks’ pole vaulters to the No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the nation, while his heptathlon group owns the No. 2 and No. 5 spots nationally. At the Sun Conference Indoor Championships, his vaulters claimed first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth places while his high jumpers added first and equal-third places.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Shaquelle Lewis – Kansas Wesleyan
Lewis, in his third year as assistant coach at Kansas Wesleyan, coached the Coyotes’ throwers to account for 36 of the team’s 123 points at the KCAC Indoor Championships, sweeping the top-3 spots in the shot put and going 2-3-4-6 in the weight throw. He earned KCAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors as his athletes broke school records in both events and rated No. 9 (shot) and No. 10 (weight) in the #EventSquad Rankings.
WEST REGION – Johnny Deryeghiayan – Vanguard (Calif.)
Deryeghiayan, in his fifth year as associate head coach, coached the Lions’ top sprinter, Chase Mars, to national qualifying berths in the 60 and 200, setting school records in both events.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Addy Wiley – Huntington (Ind.)
Wiley, who hails from Huntington, Indiana, set best-known NAIA records/all-time bests in four different events and tops the nation in them all: 600 meters (1:29.77), 800 meters (2:02.33), 1500 meters (4:18.84) and mile (4:32.15). She made history at the Camel City Invitational, where she became the only collegian to ever win the elite section of the mile. Wiley is also ranked second nationally in the 1000 meters at 2:49.71.
MIDWEST REGION – Wrenzi Wrzesinski – Dickinson State (N.D.)
Wrenzi, who hails from Baker, Montana, is ranked among the nation’s top-10 athletes in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.61. She was named the Track Athlete of the Meet at the NSAA Indoor Championships after scoring 32.5 points thanks to individual titles in the 60 meters, 200 meters and 60H, as well as a tote on the title-winning 4×400 relay.
SOUTH REGION – Joy Abu – William Carey (Miss.)
Abu, who hails from Kwara State, Nigeria, tops the nation in the 400 meters at 55.16 and sits second in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.41. She scored 20.5 points at the SSAC Indoor Championships with a victory in the 400, a runner-up effort in the 60H and a carry on the title-winning 4×400 relay.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Alyssa Armendariz – Saint Mary (Kan.)
Armendariz, who hails from Los Angeles, California, was named the KCAC Track Athlete of the Meet after winning three individual titles at the conference championships: mile, 3000 meters and 5000 meters. She is ranked ninth nationally in the 5000 at 17:27.12.
WEST REGION – Sydney Little Light – Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
Little Light, who hails from Crow Agency, Montana, is ranked fourth nationally in both the 800 meters (2:13.66) and mile (4:56.77). She hit “A” standard marks in the 800, mile, 3000 meters and 5000 meters this season and was a member of two school record-setting relay teams.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Juanita Webster-Freeman – Indiana Tech
Webster-Freeman, who hails from Redlands, California, leads the nation in both the pentathlon (3958 points) and shot put (14.97m/49-1½) and is among the top-6 in both the high jump and triple jump. She won individual titles in both the shot put and triple jump at the WHAC Indoor Championships and placed runner-up in the long jump for 28 team points.
MIDWEST REGION – Kiara Anderson – Hastings (Neb.)
Anderson, who hails from El Mirage, Arizona, is ranked first nationally in the weight throw at 17.98m (59-0). She is also undefeated against NAIA competition this season in that event.
SOUTH REGION – Paige Manney – Tennessee Wesleyan
Manney, who hails from Athens, Tennessee, set a best-known NAIA record in the triple jump with her 12.80m (42-0) effort at the AAC Indoor Championships. She was named the AAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet after sweeping the horizontal jumps and capturing top individual honors in the high jump as well.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Carly Lindenmeyer – MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
Lindenmeyer, who hails from Baldwin City, Kansas, scored 30 points at the HAAC Indoor Championships thanks to victories in the high jump, long jump and pentathlon. She is ranked first regionally in both the pentathlon (3297) and long jump (5.58m/18-3¾).
WEST REGION – Maggie Ledbetter – Eastern Oregon
Ledbetter, who hails from Cove, Oregon, is ranked eighth nationally in the shot put at 14.06m (46-1½). She is also strong in the weight throw, having won her past three meets with a PR of 16.76m (55-0) in her final competition before the NAIA Indoor Championships.
Women’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Doug Edgar – Indiana Tech
Edgar, in his 13th year at Indiana Tech, led the Warriors to the team title at the WHAC Championships and had nine event champions. The Warriors have the top-ranked athletes in the 200, 100, 4×800, DMR, shot put and pentathlon. Edgar’s team is ranked No. 1 regionally and in the latest National TFRI.
MIDWEST REGION – Matt Beisel – Concordia (Neb.)
Beisel, in his seventh year at Concordia (Neb.), led the Bulldogs to their eighth-straight team title at the GPAC Championship with 241.5 points. Beisel guided the Bulldogs to nine event crowns and coached Adrianna Rodencal to GPAC Athlete of the Meet honors. Concordia is ranked No. 4 in the latest National TFRI.
SOUTH REGION – Ryan McKenzie – William Carey (Miss.)
McKenzie, in his ninth year at William Carey (Miss.) and first as head coach, led the Crusaders to the team title at the SSAC Championships and coached seven event champions. The Crusaders have four top-2 #EventSquad rankings, including the top-ranked squads in the 60 meters and triple jump. McKenzie guided 14 women to qualify for the NAIA Championships, setting a program record, and having 12 athletes ranked in the top-10.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Kenny Anderson – Central Methodist (Mo.)
Anderson, in his third year at Central Methodist (Mo.), led the Eagles to the team title at the Heart of America Conference Championships. The Eagles won five events at the conference championships and broke three meet records. Central Methodist (Mo.) has 15 qualifiers for the NAIA Championships, including six that are ranked in the top-10 of their respective events.
WEST REGION – Ben Welch – Eastern Oregon
Welch, in his 21st year at Eastern Oregon, had the Mountaineers ranked No. 1 in the West Region and top-25 in the National TFRI. The Mountaineers have national qualifying marks in 11 events, with three of those events featuring two EOU athletes.
Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Josh Neideck – Huntington (Ind.)
Neideck, in his first year as associate head coach at Huntington (Ind.), coached the Foresters’ distance runners to national qualifying marks in six events. His top pupil, Addy Wiley, set national-leading marks in four events (600, 800, mile and 3000), with three marks also being best-known NAIA all-time/all-conditions bests. In addition, Abbey Gentz set a Crossroads League Championships record in the 5000 and also qualified in the 3000, Emily Tedder qualified in the mile and the distance medley relay team rated No. 3 nationally.
MIDWEST REGION – Zac Osgood – Hastings (Neb.)
Osgood, in his 20th year as assistant coach at Hastings (Neb.), coached the Broncos’ weight throwers to a No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking, with the shot put group rating No. 3. His throwers scored 30 points (25 in the weight throw) at the GPAC Indoor Championships. Leading the way was Kiara Anderson, national leader in the weight throw, as the crew owns four of the top-6 positions in the country.
SOUTH REGION – Malcolm Dias – William Carey (Miss.)
Dias, in his seventh year as assistant coach at William Carey (Miss.), coached a school-record 13 Crusaders to national qualifying spots in 10 events covering the sprints, hurdles and combined events. His 60-meter sprint group earned a No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking, while the 60-meter hurdles crew finished No. 2.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Nolan Ryan – Saint Mary (Kan.)
Ryan, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Saint Mary (Kan.), coached the Spires’ distance runners to four top-4 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by a No. 1 in the mile. Saint Mary also was No. 2 in the 1000, No. 3 in the 3000 and No. 4 in the 5000. His crew scored 122 points at the KCAC Indoor Championships.
WEST REGION – Connor Bracken – Eastern Oregon
Bracken, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Eastern Oregon, coached Mountaineers to national rankings in the pentathlon (two athletes), high jump, 60 hurdles and 4×400 relay. In all, 22 of his athletes he coaches achieved top-25 school all-time marks. In addition to coaching the sprints, hurdles, jumps and combined events, he handles strength and conditioning for those events plus strength work for the distance runners.