Award History
NCAA DI ITF National Awards2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field National Awards
NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships two weeks ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.
National Men's Track Athlete of the Year
Dylan Jacobs was named the National Men’s Track Athlete of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Jacobs, who hails from Orland Park, Illinois, topped the NCAA podium and turned in historic marks three times this season. The first all-time effort came at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic when he went 13:11.01 over 5000 meters to become the third-fastest athlete in collegiate history. Two weeks later, he narrowly missed the collegiate record in the 3000 meters by 0.47 seconds when he stopped the clock at 7:36.89. Ultimately, Jacobs won the 5000-meter title at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships in 13:37.59, which was the fastest time ever recorded by a collegian indoors at altitude. He later finished sixth in the 3000 at NCAAs in 7:52.25.
National Women's Track Athlete of the Year
Julien Alfred was named the National Women’s Track Athlete of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Alfred, who hails from Castries, St. Lucia, rewrote the collegiate record book and nearly set two world records in the process. It was at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Alfred went 6.94 to win the 60 meters and 22.01 for the 200-meter crown, demolishing both event’s collegiate records and moving to No. 2 on each world all-time chart. Alfred, who already owned the collegiate record in the 60 going into the season at 7.04, lowered it five times in 2023: 7.04 to 7.02, 7.02 to 7.00, 7.00 to 6.97, 6.97 to 6.96 and finally to an otherworldly 6.96 to 6.94.
National Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Kyle Garland was named the National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Garland, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, destroyed the collegiate record – and fell just six points shy of the world record – in the heptathlon to win the combined event at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships. He finished with 6639 points, 140 points more than 2010 The Bowerman winner Ashton Eaton scored to win the NCAA title that season. During the regular season, Garland showed flashes of brilliance in the heptathlon when he moved up to No. 2 in collegiate history with his 6415 score at the Texas Tech Open & Multis.
National Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Jasmine Moore was named the National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Moore, who hails from Grand Prairie, Texas, jumped into rarefied air this season. After a jaw-dropping performance at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships, where she swept the horizontal jumps, Moore is only one of two women in world history to soar both 15.00m (49-2½) in the triple jump and 7.00m (22-11¾) under a roof. Moore eclipsed her own collegiate record in the triple jump five times in Albuquerque, New Mexico, topping out at 15.12m (49-7¼) to become the fifth-best performer in world history. Don’t forget about the long jump, where she took down 2021 The Bowerman finalist Tara Davis’ CR with her 7.03m (23-0¾) flier.
National Men's Coach of the Year
Chris Bucknam was named the National Men’s Coach of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Bucknam, in his 15th year at Arkansas, coached the Razorbacks to the team title at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championship with 63 points. Arkansas won three events at NCAAs – long jump, triple jump, and the 4×400 relay – and set a collegiate record in the triple jump. Thirteen of his athletes combined for 18 First-Team All-America honors and scored across nine events. This is the second time that Bucknam has earned this honor – first coming back in 2013.
National Women's Coach of the Year
Lance Harter was named the National Women’s Coach of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Harter, in his 33rd year at Arkansas, led the Razorbacks to the team title at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships, scoring 64 points and winning four events. Arkansas also won the team title at the SEC Indoor Championships, tallying 130.5 points and winning four events as its top distance runner, Lauren Gregory, scored 21.5 points in earning high point honors. This is the fifth time in his career that Harter has won this honor – three in the past five years.
National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year
Travis Geopfert was named the National Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Geopfert, in his 11th year as associate head coach at Arkansas, coached three Razorbacks to win or finish second at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships: Jaydon Hibbert with a collegiate record of 17.54m (57-6½) to win the triple jump; Carey McLeod with a jump of 8.40m (27-6 ½) to win the long jump; and Ayden Owens-Delerme with a score of 6518 points to finish second in the heptathlon. Owens-Delerme’s score is No. 2 all-time collegiately and McLeod’s mark is No. 5. This is the third time in his career that Geopfert has earned this honor – first since going back-to-back in 2013 and 2014.
National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year
Chris Johnson was named the National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field season. Johnson, in his 12th year as associate head coach at Arkansas, coached Razorback athletes to account for 40 of the 64 points that Arkansas scored to win the team title at the 2023 NCAA DI Indoor Championships. His sprint/hurdle crew won three events – 400 meters, 60-meter hurdles and 4×400 relay. Britton Wilson set a collegiate and American record in the 400 at 49.48 and anchored the 4×400 team to a world best of 3:21.75. Ackera Nugent clocked a CR 7.72 in the prelims before winning the 60H in 7.73 in running the two fastest times in collegiate history. This is the second time in his career that Johnson has won the honor – first since 2018.