Award History
NCAA DI XC Regional Awards2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country season were announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the season.
Regional Award History: Athletes of the Year | Coaches of the Year
Many of these athletes and coaches ended their season this past weekend at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches following the conclusion of the NCAA Championships. Only individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
Men’s Athlete of the Year
The Dan McClimon Award
GREAT LAKES REGION — Robert Liking — Wisconsin
Liking capped a strong season at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, where he finished 16th overall. Just a few weeks earlier, Liking won his fourth consecutive Big Ten individual title. Liking also finished sixth individually at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
The Charles Werner Award
MID-ATLANTIC REGION — Liam Murphy — Villanova
Murphy stamped a stellar season with a ninth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. During the regular season, Murphy won individual titles at the Mid-Atlantic Region Championships and the BIG EAST Championships. Murphy also finished second at the Princeton Fall Classic and third at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational.
The Bill Bergan Award
MIDWEST REGION — Brian Musau — Oklahoma State
Musau finished fifth at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships eight days after a sixth-place effort at the Midwest Region Championships. During the regular season, Musau won individuals titles at both the Big 12 Championships and the Cowboy Jamboree, the latter of which he shattered an 8k course record at the Greiner Family Cross Country Course.
MOUNTAIN REGION — Habtom Samuel — New Mexico
Samuel earned runner-up honors at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, where he ran the last 5k with one shoe. During the regular season, Samuel won individual titles at the Mountain West Championships and the NCAA DI Pre-National. Samuel also finished runner-up at both the Mountain Region Championships and the Cowboy Jamboree.
The Fred Tootell Award
NORTHEAST REGION — Graham Blanks — Harvard
Blanks won the individual title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. During the regular season, Blanks also took top individual honors at the Northeast Region Championships and the Ivy League Championships, and finished runner-up at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
SOUTH REGION — Allan Kiplagat — Middle Tennessee
Kiplagat was the top-finishing athlete from the South Region at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, where he crossed in 19th place. During the regular season, Kiplagat was fifth at the South Region Championships and won the individual title at the Conference USA Championships, among other efforts.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Yaseen Abdalla — Arkansas
Abdalla finished fourth at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. During the regular season, Abdalla was fifth at the SEC Championships and eighth at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Dylan Schubert — Furman
Schubert was a strong third at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, the same place he finished eight days earlier at the Southeast Region Championships. During the regular season, Schubert took top individual honors at the SoCon Championships, which was his third consecutive conference title (Schubert was second as a freshman in 2021).
The John Chaplin Award
WEST REGION — Matt Strangio — Portland
Strangio was the West Region’s top-finishing athlete at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in 22nd place. During the regular season, Strangio took runner-up honors at both the West Region Championships and the West Coast Conference Championships. Strangio also posted an 11th-place finish at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational.
Men’s Coach of the Year
The Billy Hayes Award
GREAT LAKES REGION — Mick Byrne — Wisconsin
Byrne, in his 17th year as head coach at Wisconsin, led the Badgers to a fourth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships for the program’s best finish since 2012. Wisconsin entered the meet ranked No. 7 in the latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, Wisconsin was runner-up at the Great Lakes Region Championships with 82 points and won team titles at the Big Ten Conference Championships with 46 points, Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational with 69 points, Big Ten Preview with 24 points and Badger Classic with 21 points.
The Harry Groves Award
MID-ATLANTIC REGION — Marcus O’Sullivan — Villanova
O’Sullivan, in his 25th year as head coach at Villanova, led the Wildcats to a 15th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships for the program’s best finish since 2014. Earlier in the season, Villanova won team titles at the Mid-Atlantic Region Championships with 50 points, Big East Conference Championships with 35 points and Princeton Fall Classic with 70 points.
The Roy Griak Award
MIDWEST REGION — Jeremy Sudbury — Iowa State
Sudbury, in his fourth year as head coach at Iowa State, led the Cyclones to a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships with 137 points. Earlier in the season, Iowa State was runner-up at the Midwest Region Championships with 43 points, Wisconsin Pre-Nationals Invitational with 128 points and Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational with 108 points.
The Chick Hislop Award
MOUNTAIN REGION — Ed Eyestone — BYU
Eyestone, in his 25th year as head coach at BYU, led the Cougars to the team title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships with 124 points. BYU completed an undefeated season, winning team titles at the Mountain Region Championships with 52 points, Big 12 Conference Championships with 41 points, Bill Dellinger Invitational with 15 points, Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational with 44 points, BYU Autumn Classic with 26 points and Utah State Alumni Challenge with 20 points.
The Robert Grieve Award
NORTHEAST REGION — Brien Bell — Syracuse
Bell, in his seventh year as head coach at Syracuse, led the Orange to an 11th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships after entering as the No. 17 ranked team in the latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, Syracuse won team titles at the Northeast Region Championships with 75 points, Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational with 31 points and Colgate Harry Lang Invitational with 15 points.
The Dave Walker Award
SOUTH REGION — Dan Waters — Alabama
Waters, in his 14th year as head coach at Alabama, led the Crimson Tide to an 18th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships for the program’s best finish since 2014. Earlier in the season, Alabama won team titles at the South Region Championships with 80 points, Crimson Classic with 59 points, Nicholls Invitational with 17 points and Southern Showcase with 41 points.
The Johnny Morriss Award
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Adrian Myers — Tulane
Myers, in his fourth year as head coach at Tulane, led the Green Wave to a 28th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships after qualifying a team for the first time since 1998. Earlier in the season, Tulane was runner-up at the South Central Region Championships with 76 points and won team titles at The American Conference Championships with 33 points and Battle for New Orleans XC Opener with 15 points.
SOUTHEAST REGION — John Hayes — Wake Forest
Hayes, in his ninth year as head coach at Wake Forest, led the Demon Deacons to a seventh-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships 256 points after entering as the nation’s No. 14 ranked team. Earlier in the season, Wake Forest won team titles at the ACC Championships with 60 points and Panorama Farms Invitational with 38 points.
The Dean Miller Award
WEST REGION — Sean Smith — California Baptist
Smith, in his first year as head coach at California Baptist, led the Lancers to a 13th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in the program’s first-ever appearance. The Lancers came into the meet ranked No. 19 in latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, California Baptist won team titles at the WAC Championships with 29 points, UC Riverside Invitational with 25 points and Mark Covert Classic with 33 points.
Women’s Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION — Rachel Forsyth — Michigan State
Forsyth was the Great Lakes Region’s top-finishing athlete at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in 16th place. During the regular season, Forsyth finished runner-up at the Great Lakes Region Championships and fourth at the Big Ten Championships.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION — Ceili McCabe — West Virginia
McCabe starred throughout a season that saw her win three individual titles and finish sixth at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. During the regular season, McCabe took top individual honors at the Mid-Atlantic Region Championships, Big 12 Championships, as well as the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic. McCabe was also fourth at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
MIDWEST REGION — Leah Jeruto — Oklahoma
Jeruto reigned at the Midwest Region Championships, eight days before she would finish 40th at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. During the regular season, Jeruto was second at the Arturo Barrios Invitational, third at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational and ninth at the SEC Championships.
MOUNTAIN REGION — Pamela Kosgei — New Mexico
Kosgei finished runner-up at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships to cap a stellar season. The New Mexico standout went into the NCAA meet undefeated with victories at the Mountain Region Championships, Mountain West Championships, NCAA DI Pre-National and the Cowboy Jamboree, setting course records along the way.
NORTHEAST REGION — Chloe Thomas — Connecticut
Thomas finished ninth at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, eight days after winning the individual title at the Northeast Region Championships. During the regular season, Thomas also took top individual honors at the BIG EAST Championships, Paul Short Run and the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational.
SOUTH REGION — Doris Lemngole — Alabama
Lemngole bookended a dream season with a victory at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. The Alabama star opened the season with an individual title at the Southern Showcase and then reeled off wins at the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational, Crimson Classic and the SEC Championships. Lemngole also took runner-up honors at the South Region Championships.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Paityn Noe — Arkansas
Noe was seventh at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, eight days after winning the individual title at the South Central Region Championships. During the regular season, Noe finished second at the Chile Pepper Festival, third at the SEC Championships and seventh at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Grace Hartman — NC State
Hartman followed individual titles at both the ACC Championships and the Southeast Region Championships with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships. Earlier in the season, Hartman was fourth at both the adidas Wolfpack Invitational and the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational, and was sixth at the NCAA DI Pre-National.
WEST REGION — Amy Bunnage — Stanford
Bunnage finished fourth at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships, eight days after winning the individual title at the West Region Championships.
Women’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION — Matt Sparks — Notre Dame
Sparks, in his seventh year as head coach at Notre Dame, led the Fighting Irish to a 16th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Earlier in the season, Notre Dame won team titles at the Great Lakes Region Championships with 51 points, ACC Championships with 115 points, National Catholic Invitational with 15 points and Winrow-Valparaiso Open with 43 points.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION — Sean Cleary — West Virginia
Cleary, in his 18th year as head coach at West Virginia, led the Mountaineers to a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships with 164 points, which was the best nationals finish in program history. Earlier in the season, West Virginia won team titles at the Mid-Atlantic Region Championships with 41 points and Louisville Classic with 36 points.
MIDWEST REGION — Sarah Hopkins — Minnesota
Hopkins, in her 12th year as head coach at Minnesota, led the Golden Gophers to an 18th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships after entering as the No. 23 team in the latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, Minnesota was runner-up at the Midwest Region Championships with 76 points and won team titles at the Roy Griak Invitational with 47 points and Oz Memorial with 17 points.
The Patrick Shane Award
MOUNTAIN REGION — Diljeet Taylor — BYU
Taylor, in her ninth year as head coach at BYU, led the Cougars to the team title at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships with 147 points. Earlier in the season, BYU won team titles at the Mountain Region Championships with 52 points, Big 12 Conference Championships with 41 points, Wisconsin Pre-National Invitational with 105 points, BYU Autumn Classic with 16 points and Dr. Thad Scholes CSI Classic with 29 points.
The Ray Treacy Award
NORTHEAST REGION — Ray Treacy — Providence
Treacy, in his 41st year as head coach at Providence, led the Friars to a third-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships with 183 points after entering as the No. 11 team in the latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, Providence won team titles at the Northeast Region Championships with 51 points and Providence Friar Invitational with 21 points.
SOUTH REGION — Dan Waters — Alabama
Waters, in his 14th year as head coach at Alabama, led the Crimson Tide to a tenth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Earlier in the season, Alabama won team titles at the South Region Championships with 63 points, SEC Championships with 72 points, Crimson Classic with 28 points, Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational with 57 points and Southern Showcase with 52 points.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Adrian Myers — Tulane
Myers, in his fourth year as head coach at Tulane, led the Green Wave to a third-place finish at the South Central Region Championships as two athletes – Caroline Jeptanui and Blezzin Kimutai – qualified for the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships as individuals. Earlier in the season, Tulane was runner-up at The American Conference Championships with 66 points, just three points away from winning.
The Rollie Geiger Award
SOUTHEAST REGION — Laurie Henes — NC State
Henes, in her 19th year as head coach at NC State, led the Wolfpack to an eighth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships after entering as the No. 13 team in the latest National Coaches’ Poll. Earlier in the season, NC State won team titles at the Southeast Region Championships with 60 points and Adidas XC Challenge with 34 points.
The Tom Heinonen Award
WEST REGION — Shalane Flanagan — Oregon
Flanagan, in her first year as head coach at Oregon, led the Ducks to a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships with 210 points. Earlier in the year, Oregon won team titles at the West Region Championships with 43 points, Big Ten Conference Championships with 33 points and OTC Pre’s Trail Run with 30 points.