Award History
NCAA DII ITF National Awards2024 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Awards
NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2024 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships two weeks ago in Pittsburg, Kansas, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.
National Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Brynn King was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Field Athlete of the Year. King, who hails from Rochester, New York, literally raised the bar during the indoor season. She originally shattered a longstanding NCAA DII record in the pole vault back in December and continued doing so throughout the season until finally topping out at 4.63m (15-3) to win the event title at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Not only is King atop the NCAA DII record book, she is also No. 5 in collegiate history, among all divisions.
National Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Cale Kassen was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Field Athlete of the Year. Kassen, who hails from Valley View, Texas, shattered the NCAA DII heptathlon record in winning the combined event at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. He amassed 5801 points, which included an all-time collegiate heptathlon best in the 60-meter hurdles of 7.71. Kassen PR’d in six of the seven events at the NCAA Championships.
National Women's Track Athlete of the Year
Denisha Cartwright was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year. Cartwright, who hails from Nassau, Bahamas, rewrote the record book during the indoor season, specifically in the 60-meter hurdles. She clocked four of the top-5 marks in NCAA DII history, including the 7.93 chart-topper that she recorded at the 2024 NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Cartwright racked up points in the postseason, scoring 24.25 points at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships to be named High Point Scorer and 30 just a few weeks earlier at the NSIC Indoor Championships.
National Men's Track Athlete of the Year
Miguel Coca was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year. Coca, who hails from Las Vegas, New Mexico, made history nearly every time he stepped on the track this season. He particularly starred in February, where he shattered the NCAA DII 3000-meter record with his 7:44.90 clocking at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and clocked the second-fastest all-conditions mile in NCAA DII history of 3:56.38 at the Ken Shannon Last Chance. Coca capped his indoor season by scoring 18.5 points at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with runner-up finishes in both the mile and 3000 meters, plus an anchor leg on the title-winning distance medley relay.
National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year
Chris Parno was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Assistant Coach of the Year. Parno, in his 11th year as Associate Head Coach at Minnesota State, coached the Mavericks’ sprinters and hurdlers to account for 42 of the team’s 54 points in finishing third at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. His top athlete, Denisha Cartwright, earned high-point honors at the DII Indoor with 24.25 points after breaking the DII record in the 60-meter hurdles at 7.93 earlier in the season.
National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year
Jason Crow was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Assistant Coach of the Year. Crow, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Pittsburg State, coached Gorilla sprinters to account for 36 of the team’s 69 points in winning the team title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Crow’s sprint/hurdle crew earned 10 All-America honors including titles in the 60-meter hurdles (Daylin Williams) and 4×400 relay.
National Women's Coach of the Year
Damon Martin was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Coach of the Year. Martin, in his 36th year as Head Coach/Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Adams State, led the Grizzlies to the team title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with 67 points, racking up 12 First-Team and four Second-Team All-America honors. One of his top athletes, Gracie Hyde, was named RMAC Women’s Co-Track Athlete of the Year.
National Men's Coach of the Year
Kyle Rutledge was named the 2024 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Coach of the Year. Rutledge, in his third year as Head Coach at Pittsburg State, led the Gorillas to the team title at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships with 69 points, winning three events. Pittsburg State, which compiled 14 First-Team All-American performances, also won the team title at the MIAA Indoor Championships with a meet-record 212 points, winning eight events.