2023 NJCAA Division III Cross Country Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Here are our Regional Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NJCAA DIII Cross Country season.

Men’s Athlete of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Bradley Ahrens — Mineral Area (Mo.)

Ahrens won the individual title at the Region 16 Cross Country Championships in 25:44.

EAST REGION — Anas Bensaoud — RCSJ Gloucester (N.J.)

Bensaoud won the individual title at the Region 19 Cross Country Championships in 28:22.0.

NORTHEAST REGION — Christian Scholl — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

Scholl ran well several times this season, notably a best mark of 28:19.6 over 8k. 

Men’s Coach of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Jim Macnider — Harper (Ill.)

Macnider led the Hawks to the team title at the Region 4 Championships with 30 points. Harper also won the team title at the Rock River Invitational with 34 points.

EAST REGION — Tony & Ella O’Kelly — Oxford (Ga.)

The O’Kellys led the Eagles to the team title at the Region 17 Championships with 25 points.

NORTHEAST REGION — Matt French — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

French led the Sharks to the team title at the Region 15 Championships with 32 points.

Women’s Athlete of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Lilly Alberts — Harper (Ill.)

Alberts won the individual title at the Region 4 Cross Country Championships in 18:52.5.

EAST REGION — Kylynn Frankford — Thaddeus Stevens (Pa.)

Frankford won the individual title at the Region 19 Cross Country Championships in 21:19.6.

NORTHEAST REGION — Brenin Mahon — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

Mahon clocked several strong marks this season, including a 21:47.0 effort over 5k.

Women’s Coach of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Jim Macnider — Harper (Ill.)

Macnider led the Hawks to the team title at the Region 4 Championships with 19 points.

EAST REGION — Rob Sherwood — Georgia Military

Sherwood led the Bulldogs to the team title at the Region 17 Championships with 17 points. Georgia Military also won the team title at the Brewton Parker Invitational with 52 points and Fort Valley State Wildcat Opener with 18 points.

NORTHEAST REGION — Matt French — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

French led the Sharks to the team title at the Region 15 Championships with 15 points.