Award History
NCAA DIII ITF Regional Awards2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 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 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, set for this weekend at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.
Information on each of the winners can be found below.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
EAST REGION – Ryan Wilson – MIT
Wilson, who hails from Carlmont, California, set NCAA DIII records in both the 800 meters and mile. His first came in the mile, when he went 3:55.29 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston. Then, just a few weeks later, Wilson traversed 800 meters in 1:46.61 to establish an absolute NCAA DIII all-time best in that event, meaning the mark is superior to both the indoor and outdoor records. Both of those efforts ranked him among the top-16 collegians this season.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Alex Phillip – John Carroll
Phillip, who hails from Akron, Ohio, rewrote the NCAA DIII record book in distance events. He took down division records in both the 3000 meters and 5000 meters: the first was his 7:53.24 effort over 3000 meters at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in January; the second was his 13:44.98 clocking at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in February. Phillip also set a new school record in the mile at 4:04.13 and anchored a national-qualifying DMR.
METRO REGION – Cheickna Traore – Ramapo
Traore, who hails from Jersey City, New Jersey, is ranked among the best in NCAA DIII in both the 200 meters and 400 meters – both this season and all-time. He is the national leader in the 400 at 47.45, which rates him sixth all-time in NCAA DIII history. Cut that distance in half and Traore is third nationally with his converted 21.27, but sits second on the NCAA DIII all-time list.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Gavin McElhennon – Johns Hopkins
McElhennon, who hails from Washington, D.C., qualified for both the 3000 meters and 5000 meters at the upcoming NCAA DIII Indoor Championships with school record-setting marks. He won the 5000 at the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships and is the top-ranked athlete in the Mid-Atlantic Region in both the 3000 meters and 5000 meters.
MIDEAST REGION – Matt Lecky – RPI
Lecky, who hails from Middletown, Connecticut, set school records in a pair of individual events – mile (4:03.77) and 3000 meters (8:07.26) – and anchored an all-time effort in the DMR. It was just a few weeks ago at the Tufts National Qualifying Meet where Lecky turned in a 1600-meter split of 4:04 to help RPI clock the fastest flat-track DMR in NCAA DIII history of 9:49.65.
MIDWEST REGION – Mike Jasa – Loras
Jasa, who hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is ranked second nationally in the 800 meters at a converted 1:48.78 (1:50.33) that came from a meet in early December. He also helped Loras set an NCAA DIII record in the DMR of 9:39.80 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational.
NIAGARA REGION – Scott Sikorski – Rochester (N.Y.)
Sikorski, who hails from Chicago, Illinois, tops the region in both the 800 meters and mile, and sits second in the 3000 meters. He is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season and continued that trend at the Liberty League Indoor Championships, where he won both the 800 and mile, both in meet record efforts. Sikorski was summarily named the Liberty League Men’s Track Performer of the Meet.
NORTH REGION – Sam Blaskowski – UW-La Crosse
Blaskowski, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, made quick work of the NCAA DIII record book this season in the sprints. He set divisional records in both the 60 meters and 200 meters: 6.65 in the former to win the event title at the WIAC Indoor Championships; the latter earlier in the season at the Aurora Grand Prix, where he turned one lap in 21.13. Blaskowski owns four of the top-5 all-time efforts in the 60 and two of the top-5 performances in the longer sprint.
SOUTH REGION – Tor Hotung-Davidsen – Lynchburg
Hotung-Davidsen, who hails from Oakton, Virginia, is ranked third nationally in the 800 meters at 1:49.17. He scored 15 points at the ODAC Indoor Championships thanks to an individual title in the 800 and totes on the winning 4×400 and DMR.
WEST REGION – Solo Hines – Whitworth
Hines, who hails from Kent, Washington, is ranked second nationally – and fifth all-time in NCAA DIII history – in the 60 meters at 6.71. He went sub-6.82 four times this season.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Year
EAST REGION – Jacob Rigoli – Plymouth State
Rigoli, who hails from Essex, Vermont, took top individual honors in the weight throw at both the Little East Indoor Championships and the New England DIII Indoor Championships. His best mark of the season of 19.42m (63-8¾) has him ranked fourth in the nation.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Keegan Digby – Ohio Northern
Digby, who hails from Bowling Green, Ohio, broke a longstanding school record in the shot put by more than four feet with his 17.13m (56-2½) effort at the Wittenberg Invitational in February. Later in the regular season, he scored 15 points at the OAC Indoor Championships thanks to a victory in the shot put and a fourth-place effort in the weight throw.
METRO REGION – Alex Kristeller – Widener
Kristeller, who hails from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, is ranked second nationally in the weight throw at 20.27m (66-6). He set a meet record at the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Indoor Championships in the event and headlines the nation’s top weight throw #EventSquad.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Joe Masser – Susquehanna
Masser, who hails from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, scored 22 points in field events at the Landmark Conference Indoor Championships and was named the Field Athlete of the Year for his efforts. He is ranked first regionally in a trio of events – long jump, triple jump and heptathlon – and sits among the nation’s top-15 performers in both the heptathlon and long jump.
MIDEAST REGION – Jackson Anderson – Williams
Anderson, who hails from Somerville, Massachusetts, tops the national leaderboard in the heptathlon with 5170 points. He is also ranked seventh regionally in the long jump.
MIDWEST REGION – Derik Bunten – Loras
Bunten, who hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, leads the nation in the long jump at 7.58m (24-10½), a mark that also doubles as a school record.
NIAGARA REGION – Dominic Mikula – Ithaca
Mikula, who hails from Trumansburg, New York, sits atop the Descending Order List in the pole vault with a winning 5.13m (16-10) clearance from the AARTFC Indoor Championships. He has vaulted better than 4.90m (16-0¾) at four different meets this season.
NORTH REGION – Joseph White – Carthage
White, who hails from Kenosha, Wisconsin, dominated the throws this season, specifically the weight throw – an event in which he set an NCAA DIII record. The Carthage standout heaved the implement 21.92m (71-11) at the Tadd Metzger Invitational in early February to demolish a longstanding divisional best. That was just one of his seven marks from this season that rate among the all-time top-10. White is also the national leader in the shot put at 18.31m (60-1).
SOUTH REGION – Henry Branstadter – Emory
Branstadter, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is ranked third nationally in the long jump at 7.40m (24-3½). He won both the long jump and the high jump at the UAA Indoor Championships and was summarily named the UAA Field Performer of the Meet.
WEST REGION – James King – George Fox
King, who hails from Bend, Oregon, is ranked second nationally in the high jump at 2.10m (6-10¾). That effort at the George Fox Indoor Meet broke a 23-year-old school record.
Men’s Coach of the Year
EAST REGION – Todd Linder – MIT
Linder, in his second year at MIT, led the Engineers to the team title at the NEWMAC Indoor Championships with 159 points. MIT set NCAA DIII records in the 800 meters and the mile. The Engineers have NCAA qualifiers in the sprints/hurdles, mid-distance, distance, throws, jumps and relays.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union
Lucas, in his 14th year at Mount Union, led the Purple Raiders to the team title at the OAC Indoor Championships. Lucas coached Matt McBride to national records in the 500 meters and 600 meters. Mount Union has NCAA qualifiers in the 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×400-meter relay and the pole vault.
METRO REGION – Dustin Dimit – Rowan
Dimit, in his ninth year at Rowan, led the Profs to the team title at the NJAC Indoor Championships. Dimit’s Profs lead all Metro Region teams with 19 All-Region honors. Rowan hold three top-5 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by a No. 2 in the 60-meter hurdles, and have the No. 1 4×400-meter relay entering the NCAA Championships.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Gary Aldrich – Carnegie Mellon
Aldrich, in his ninth year at Carnegie Mellon, led the Tartans to a second-place finish at the UAA Indoor Championships. Carnegie Mellon’s top #EventSquad Rankings include a No. 9 in the 300 meters, No. 10 in the 800 meters and No. 12 in the 5000 meters. The Tartans have three athletes ranked in the top-11 in their respective events.
MIDEAST REGION – Brandon Gruver – Williams
Gruver, in his seventh year at Williams and first as acting head coach, led the Ephs to a runner-up finish at the New England DIII Indoor Championships. Williams, which is the top-ranked team in the region, set four school records this year.
MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras
Jones, in his 10th year at Loras, led the Duhawks to the team title at the ARC Indoor Championships behind seven event champions. Loras has seven top-10 #EventSquad Rankings and nine top-10 national rankings, including two No. 1s in the DMR and long jump. The Duhawks have 12 qualifiers for the NCAA Championships.
NIAGARA REGION – Sam Albert – Rochester (N.Y.)
Albert, in his 14th year at Rochester (N.Y.), led the Yellowjackets to their second consecutive team title at the Liberty League Indoor Championships with 200.5 points. Rochester has athletes ranked in the top-5 in the Niagara Region across 11 events, including a trio of No. 1s in the 800 meters, mile, and heptathlon.
NORTH REGION – Andrew Rock – Bethel (Minn.)
Rock, in his 11th year at Bethel (Minn.), led the Royals to their first team title at the MIAC Indoor Championships. Bethel (Minn.), which is ranked No. 8 in the National TFRI, has five top-20 #EventSquad Rankings and five national top-6 marks.
SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory
Nguyen, in his fourth year at Emory, led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the UAA Indoor Championships. Emory, which has been the top-ranked team in the South Region all season, has 27 top-10 regional performances. The Eagles have eight top-16 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by a No. 8 in the 800 meters.
WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox
Smith, in his 18th year at George Fox, has the Bruins ranked No. 14 in the National TFRI and No. 3 in the West Region. George Fox has four national qualifiers and five athletes ranked among the national top-25. The Bruins have nine All-Region honorees, including three No. 1s.
Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
EAST REGION – Riley Macon – MIT
Macon, in his third year as assistant coach at MIT, coached the Engineers’ distance runners to No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings in four events – 800, mile, 3000 and 5000. His runners earned all-time top-10 marks in four events – the two leading from top pupil Ryan Wilson, who set NCAA DIII records in the 800 (1:46.61) and mile (3:55.29). Additional runners posted three all-time top-10 marks in the 3000 and two in the 5000.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Daniel Tutskey – John Carroll
Tutskey, in his third year as assistant coach at John Carroll, coached Blue Streaks athletes to entries in the DIII nationals in three events – 200, 400 and 4×400, setting school records in each at the same time. His crew won two titles at the OAC Indoor Championships, including a meet record in the 200, and earned six All-Region awards in five events – 60, 200, 400, 4×400 and triple jump.
METRO REGION – Norman Tate – Rowan
Tate, in his 15th year as assistant coach at Rowan, coached Profs relay teams toDIII records in the 4×200 and 4×400. His athletes earned 10 All-Region honors in the 60, 200, 400, 60 hurdles and 4×400 and scored 96 points at the NJAC Indoor Championships. In addition to coaching the sprints, hurdles and relays, he provides technical work for the Profs’ horizontal jumpers, who nabbed national qualifying spots in the long jump (2) and triple jump (1).
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Marty Vajen – Washington & Jefferson
Vajen, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Washington & Jefferson, coached athletes to 53 of the Presidents’ 127 points in winning the program’s first team title at the PAC Indoor Championships. His jumpers and hurdles won the PAC long jump and finished runner-up in the 60 hurdles and triple jump while adding third-place finishes in the high jump and triple jump.
MIDEAST REGION – John Lynch – RPI
Lynch, in his 12th year as assistant coach at RPI, coached the Engineers’ distance crew to DIII qualifying performances and school records in the 3000, 5000 and distance medley relay. His DMR team recorded the No. 10 time in DIII history and the fastest ever on a flat track. At the Liberty League Championships, his troops earned seven of the top-8 places in both the 3000 and 5000, plus four of the top-6 in the mile while also winning the DMR.
MIDWEST REGION – Bob Schultz – Loras
Schultz, in his 19th year as assistant coach at Loras, coached the Duhawks’ distance runners to a national DIII record in the distance medley relay along with No. 2 #EventSquad Rankings in the 800 and mile. His top miler, Wyatt Kelly, set a school record in the mile at 4:07.01.
NIAGARA REGION – Matt Scheffler – Ithaca
Scheffler, in his 17th year as assistant coach at Ithaca, coach the Bombers’ pole vault group to a No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking. Four of his vaulters placed among the top-7 at the AARTFC Indoor Championships and among the top-6 at the Liberty League Indoor Championships. His top athlete, Dominic Mikula, set a school record in leading the nation at 5.13m (16-10).
NORTH REGION – Jeff Miller – UW-Whitewater
Miller, in his 41st year as assistant coach at UW-Whitewater, coached Warhawks athletes to contribute 44 of the team’s 80.3 points at the WIAC Indoor Championships. His athletes won two events at the WIAC Championships – 3000 and distance medley relay, led by his top pupil, Christian Patzka, who rated No. 1 in the 3000 and 5000 in the North Region. Patzka also set a since-broken NCAA DIII record in the 5000 earlier this season.
SOUTH REGION – Jake Reed – Lynchburg
Reed, in his eighth year as assistant coach at Lynchburg, coached Hornets’ distance runners to the No. 1 position in the South Region in five events – 800, mile, 3000, 5000 and distance medley relay. His crew won titles in all of those events at the ODAC Indoor Championships, setting meet records in the 3000 and 5000, as they collectively tallied 106 points towards Lynchburg’s team title.
WEST REGION – Brandon Howell – Whitworth
Howell, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Whitworth, coached Solo Hines to No. 5 on the all-time DIII list in 60 with a time of 6.71. In addition to coaching the Pirates’ sprinters, he also mentors the hurdlers and horizontal jumpers.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
EAST REGION – Jill Richardson – Bates
Richardson, who hails from Auburn, Maine, won the 3000 meters at the DIII New England Championships and has only lost to DIII competition once this season at 3000 or 5000 meters. She finished the regular season as the top-ranked athlete in the region and in the national top-15 in the 3000m with a best of 9:44.68.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Kenadee Wayt – Mount Union
Kenadee, who hails from Wheeling, West Virginia, was voted Sprint Athlete of the Meet at OAC Championships. The Purple Raider is the DIII leader in the 200 meters, having run 24.77 on a flat track, and finished the regular season in the national top 15 in also the 60, 400, and 800 meters. She’s also a member of the No. 2-ranked 4×400 relay.
METRO REGION – Laura Mathews – Stevens
Matthews, who hails from Denville, New Jersey, scored 37 points at the Middle Atlantic Conferences Championships, sweeping league crowns in the 60 meter hurdles, 200 meters, and 400 meters. She set conference records in the 60 hurdles and 200 meters and was named the conference’s Track Athlete of the Meet.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Lauren Phillips – Johns Hopkins
Phillips, who hails from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the region in the 60 and 400 meters. She set Centennial Conference records in the five events this season, including the 400 meters where her personal best of 55.35 currently is ranked No. 2 in DIII.
MIDEAST REGION – Grace Devanny – Wesleyan (Conn.)
Devanny, who hails from Concord, New Hampshire, is the division leader in the 400 meters, running a New England DIII Championship record 55.70 this season. The Cardinal also set championship records in the 200 meters (24.59) and as a member of the 4×200 relay. She clocked a DIII record run of 1:14.17 over 500 meters in January.
MIDWEST REGION – Emma Kelley – Washington (Mo.)
Undefeated this season, Kelley, who hails from St. Louis, Mo., enters the national championships as the top-ranked entry in the 800 meters, having run 2:09.77 on a flat track. At the UAA Championships, she scored 14½ points, setting a meet record in the 400 meters in 56.27, running a 2:10.5 split in the runner-up DMR, and anchoring the 4×4 squad to victory in 55.5 in leading the Bears to the conference team title.
NIAGARA REGION – Susan Bansbach – Rochester (N.Y.)
Bansbach,who hails from Fayetteville, New York, won three events at the Liberty League Championships and was named the league’s Women’s Track Performer of the Meet en route to leading the Yellowjackets to their first conference title. In addition, she anchored her team’s 4×400 to a meet record at the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference meet.
NORTH REGION – Birgen Nelson – Gustavus Adolphus
Nelson, who hails from Edina, Minnesota, captured the NCAA DIII record in the 60-meter hurdles of 8.35 in finishing sixth at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque. She tallied five-of-the-top-six times in division history this season, and she ranks in the division’s top-25 in three other events. She was named USTFCCCA DIII National Athlete of the Week twice this season.
SOUTH REGION – Annika Urban – Emory
Urban, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, finished the regular season as the region’s leader in four events. She clocked all-time DIII top-ten times in the 3000 meters (9:28.14) and 5000 meters (16:55.37) in winning both events. She set UAA conference championships records in the mile and 5000 meters and is undefeated against DIII competition this season.
WEST REGION – Jasmyn Crawford – Whittier
Crawford, who hails from Bonita, California, clocked 7.60 over 60 meters and 25.61 over 200 meters on a flat track, recording the best performances of the season in the West region and the known all-time bests from SCIAC schools.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
EAST REGION – Lia Rotti – Tufts
Rotti, who hails from Danville, Vermont, won the long jump and triple jump at the New England DIII Championships with meet and school records of 5.90m (19-4¼) and 12.10m (39-8½), respectively. Her long jump leads the division this season and the triple jump ranks No. 3 nationally.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Kennady Gibbins – Mount Union
Gibbins, who hails from Navarre, Ohio, was named OAC Field Event Athlete of the Meet after winning the high jump, long jump, and placing sixth in the shot put, leading the squad to the conference crown. She also ranks No. 3 in the nation with a pentathlon score of 3,635 points.
METRO REGION – Shahyan Abraham – Stockton
Abraham, who hails from Orange, New Jersey, was named the NJAC Field Athlete of the Year, winning conference titles in the weight throw and shot put. Her best effort of 17.59m (57-8½) set the championship record and ranks No. 12 in the division this season.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Victoria Kadiri – Johns Hopkins
Kadiri, who hails from Lynn, Massachusetts, leads the nation in the triple jump with a best of 12.38m (40-7½) and is No. 2 in the country in the long jump at 5.89m (19-4). The Centennial Conference champion in both events, she set the league record in the triple jump.
MIDEAST REGION – Morgan Nasir – Williams
Nasir, who hails from Haymarket, Virginia, ranks No. 5 in the nation in the long jump with a performance that equals the school record of 5.75m (18-10½).
MIDWEST REGION – Grace Alley – Loras
Alley, who hails from Seneca, Illinois, was named the American Rivers Conference Field MVP for her triple-crown of league titles in the high jump, triple jump, and pentathlon. Her pentathlon score of 3659 ranks No. 2 in the country and her triple jump best of 12.10m (39-8½) is No. 3 in the nation.
NIAGARA REGION – Logan Bruce – Ithaca
Bruce, who hails from Delhi, New York, won Liberty League titles in the high jump and long jump. Her pentathlon season best of 3701 is the division leader.
NORTH REGION – Skye Digman – UW-La Crosse
Digman, who hails from Platteville, Wisconsin, was named co-Field Event Athlete of the WIAC Championships after taking top honors in the weight throw and finishing runner-up in the shot put. Undefeated in the weight throw this season, Digman enters the national championships as the division leader in the event with a DIII all-time top-ten performance of 19.44m (63-9½).
SOUTH REGION – Aniya Seward – Lynchburg
Seward, who hails from Ebony, Virginia, swept long jump and triple jump crowns at the ODAC Championships, hitting a best in the triple jump of 11.95m (39-2½) that ranks in the top ten in the division.
WEST REGION – Brooke Simon – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
A senior who hails from San Anselmo, California, Simon tied the SCIAC conference record in the pole vault with a clearance of 3.82m (12-6¼) which also is in the top-ten in the division this season. She finished the regular indoor season undefeated.
Women’s Coach of the Year
EAST REGION – Kristen Morwick – Tufts
Morwick, in her 23rd year at Tufts, led the Jumbos to a runner-up finish at the NESCAC Indoor Championships with 108 points. Tufts has top-10 #EventSquad Rankings and No. 1 East Region in the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, long jump, and triple jump. The Jumbos have the top-ranked athlete in the region in six events and No. 2 rankings in three events.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Paris Hilliard – Wittenberg
Hilliard, in his eighth year at Wittenberg, led the Tigers to the team title at the NCAC Indoor Champinships with 190 for the program’s first indoor crown since 1997. Wittenberg nearly swept the top awards, winning Sprint Athlete of the Year, Distance Athlete of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Hilliard and his staff also earned NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
METRO REGION – Justin Lindsey – TCNJ
Lindsey, in his 10th year at TCNJ, led the Lions to their fifth-straight team title at the NJAC Indoor Championships with 239 points and winning 11 events. TCNJ has six national top-25 marks, including the No. 5 team in the 4×400-meter relay.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Bobby Van Allen – Johns Hopkins
Van Allen, in his 24th year at Johns Hopkins, led the Blue Jays to their 12th consecutive Centennial Indoor Championship with 291 points, which was the second highest point total in meet history. Johns Hopkins has the four athletes ranked in the top-5 nationally, led by a national-leading mark in the triple jump.
MIDEAST REGION – Nate Hoey – Williams
Hoey, in his 10th year at Williams, led the Ephs to team titles at the New England Division III Indoor Championships and the Little 3 Indoor Championships. Hoey has led the Ephs to 24 regional top-5 marks, including the top marks in the mile, 5000 meters, pole vault, and long jump. Williams has 13 entries in eight events for the NCAA Championships.
MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras
Jones, in his 10th year at Loras, led the Duhawks to the team title at the ARC Indoor Championships. Loras has eight events that reside in the top-10 in the #EventSquad Rankings. The Duhawks have also been ranked among the top-4 nationally throughout the season.
NIAGARA REGION – Sam Albert – Rochester (N.Y.)
Albert, in his 14th year at Rochester (N.Y.), led the Yellowjackets to their first team title at the Liberty League Indoor Championships with 186 points. Albert coached his sprinters to four event titles and 86 points, with Susan Bansbach being named the Women’s Track Athlete of the Meet. At the AARTFC Championships, Kate Isaac won the 400-meer crown and the Yellowjackets set a meet record in the 4×400-meter relay.
NORTH REGION – Nick Davis – UW-La Crosse
Davis, in his 6th year at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the WIAC Indoor Championships with a meet-record 324 points. UW-La Crosse has eight No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings and has 21 athletes qualified for the NCAA Championships. Davis’ team is the top-ranked team in the National TFRI and in the North Region.
SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory
Nguyen, in his fourth year at Emory, led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the UAA Indoor Championships. Emory holds 12 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by a No. 7 in the 60-meter hurdles. The Eagles also have 27 top-10 South Region performances, including six regional-leading efforts.
WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox
Smith, in his 18th year at George Fox, has the Bruins ranked No. 1 in the West Region. George Fox has two national qualifiers and notched 14 All-Region honors. The Bruins have three national top-23 marks and 14 regional top-5 efforts, including three No. 1s in the 800 meters, mile, and pentathlon.
Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year
EAST REGION – Stephen Fleagle – Tufts
Fleagle, in his second year as assistant coach at Tufts, coached the Jumbos’ jumpers to contribute 45 of the team’s 108 points at the DIII New England Indoor Championships as Tufts earned the runner-up team honors. Two of his leading athletes lead the nation – Lia Rotti in the long jump and Jaidyn Appel in the high jump. Both were New England Champions, with Rotti adding a title in the triple jump.
GREAT LAKES REGION – Mark Northuis – Hope
Northuis, in his 35th year as assistant coach at Hope, coached the Flying Dutchmen distance runners to No. 1 Great Lakes Region rankings in four events – mile, 3000, 5000 and distance medley relay. His crew also has depth, holding down multiple positions in the regional top-20 – 800 (three spots), mile (three), 3000 (four) and 5000 (four).
METRO REGION – Michael Ambrulavage – Widener
Ambrulavage, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Widener, coached the Pride distance runners to combine for 64 of Widener’s 147 points in winning the MAC Indoor Championships. His athletes hold the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the Metro Region in four events – mile, 3000, 5000 and distance medley – and occupy four of the top-10 in the 3000 and 5000.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Shedrick Elliott III – Johns Hopkins
Elliott, in his ninth year as assistant coach at Johns Hopkins, coached the Blue Jays’ sprinters to contribute 68 points of Johns Hopkins’ winning total of 288 points at the Centennial Conference Indoor Championships. His athletes hold the top spots in the Mid-Atlantic Region in three events – 60, 400 and 4×400 – and set three conference records in three events – 200, 400 and 4×400. He coached four of the top-6 in the regional 400, and five of the top-10.
MIDEAST REGION – Dusty Lopez – Williams
Lopez, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Williams, led the Ephs’ distance runners to 10 top-5 rankings in the Mideast Region in five events – 800 (two spots), mile (three), 3000 (two), 5000 (two) and distance medley relay. Nationally, his crew combines for six top-20 rankings. His athletes combined for 71 of Williams’ 127.33 points in winning the DIII New England Indoor Championships.
MIDWEST REGION – Mason Tangen – Loras
Tangen, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Loras, coached Duhawks’ field event athletes to account for 90.5 of Loras’ 221.5 points in winning the team title at the A-R-C Indoor Championships. His triple jumpers earned a No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking, the high jumpers and long jumpers both ranking No. 2 and the weight throwers No. 6. His athletes set school records in five events – high jump, long jump, triple jump, weight throw and pentathlon.
NIAGARA REGION – Alexa Wandy – Nazareth
Wandy, in her sixth year as assistant coach at Nazareth, coached Golden Flyers’ jumpers to account for 37 points of Nazareth’s 192 points in winning the Empire 8 Conference Indoor Championships. Her athletes won Empire 8 titles in the high jump and long jump in earning #EventSquad Rankings in the long jump (No. 9), triple jump (No. 14) and high jump (No. 27).
NORTH REGION – Katie Wagner – UW-La Crosse
Wagner, in her 13th year as assistant coach at UW-La Crosse, coached Eagles’ sprinters and hurdlers to No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings in the 60, 200 and 60 hurdles. Her athletes combine for six top-10 DIII rankings, including the nation’s leading 4×400 team. Wagner’s athletes amassed 104 of the team’s 324 points in winning the WIAC Indoor Championships as her top athlete, Emma Lawrence, earned WIAC Track Performer of the Meet.
SOUTH REGION – Marcus Harris – Rhodes
Harris, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Rhodes, coached two Lynx athletes No. 1 South Region rankings – Rachel Sullivan in the high jump and Ace Cole in the pole. Both athletes earned berths to the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships.
WEST REGION – Mike Wilson – George Fox
Wilson, in his fourth year as assistant coach at George Fox, coached Bruins’ distance runners to four top-5 rankings in the West Region in producing three school records. His top athlete, Ellie Rising, leads the West Region in the 800 and mile, ranking No. 6 nationally in the 800.