Award History
NJCAA DII XC Regional Awards2023 NJCAA Division II Cross Country Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Here are our Regional Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NJCAA DII Cross Country season.
Men’s Athlete of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Jared Falchook — Daytona State (Fla.)
Falchook won the individual title at the Region 8 Cross Country Championships in 26:04.
CENTRAL REGION — Miquel Cruz — Cowley (Kan.)
Cruz won the individual title at the Region 6 Cross Country Championships in 25:45.6.
GREAT LAKES REGION — Michael Dennis — Lansing (Mich.) CC
Dennis won the individual title at the Region 12 Cross Country Championships in 25:04.7.
MIDWEST REGION — Matt Padilla — Heartland (Ill.) CC
Padilla won the individual title at the Region 24 Cross Country Championships in 26:23.7.
WEST REGION — Jorge Trujillo — Mesa (Ariz.) CC
Trujillo won the individual title at the Region 1 Cross Country Championships in 25:59.5.
Men’s Coach of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Judy Wilson — Daytona State (Fla.)
Wilson led the Falcons to the team title at the Region 8 Championships with 15 points.
CENTRAL REGION — Stan Narewski — Wallace State (Ala.) CC
Narewski led the Lions to the team title at the Region 22 Championships with 19 points. Wallace State CC also won the team title at the Topper Trails Classic with 23 points.
GREAT LAKES REGION — Jim Robinson — Lansing (Mich.) CC
Robinson led the Stars to the team title at the Region 12 Championships with 21 points. Lansing CC also won the team title at the Olivet Comet Open with 20 points.
MIDWEST REGION — Ty Wolf — Heartland (Ill.) CC
Wolf led the Hawks to the team title at the Region 24 Championships with 20 points. Heartland CC also won the team title at the Greenville Classic with 26 points and Heartland Invitational with 19 points.
WEST REGION — Dave Barney — Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
Barney led the Pumas to the team title at the Region 1 Championships with 25 points.
Women’s Athlete of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Giovana Meade — Daytona State (Fla.)
Meade led Daytona State College to the team title at the Region 8 Cross Country Championships and placed first for the squad in three previous meets.
CENTRAL REGION — Dheniffer Vaz — Cowley (Kan.)
Vaz won the individual title at the Region 6 Cross Country Championships in 18:51.6.
GREAT LAKES REGION — Olivia Ippel — Lake Michigan CC
Ippel won the individual title at the Region 12 Cross Country Championships in 18:29.3. She ended the regular season undefeated and set four course records in five competitions.
MIDWEST REGION — Aisha Ramone — Southeastern (Iowa) CC
Ramone won the individual title at the Region 11 Cross Country Championships in 19:26.7.
WEST REGION — Carmella Baldwin — Mesa (Ariz.) CC
Baldwin won the individual title at the Region 1 Cross Country Championships in 19:00.7.
Women’s Coach of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Judy Wilson — Daytona State (Fla.)
Wilson led the Falcons to the team title at the Region 8 Championships with 25 points.
CENTRAL REGION — Cameron Rieth — Cowley (Kan.)
Rieth led the Tigers to the team title at the Region 6 Championships with 15 points. Cowley also won the team title at the Firestarter Classic with 43 points.
GREAT LAKES REGION — Andrea Rheaume — St. Clair County (Mich.) CC
Rheaume led the Skippers to the team title at the Region 12 Championships with 80 points.
MIDWEST REGION — Lucas Keifer — Southeastern (Iowa) CC
Keifer led the Blackhawks to the team title at the Region 11 Championships with 30 points. Southeastern CC also won the team title at the Indian Hills Invitational with 33 points.
WEST REGION — Dave Barney — Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC
Barney led the Pumas to the team title at the Region 1 Championships with 27 points. Paradise Valley also won the team title at the Arizona CC Conference Championships with 35 points.