Award History
NCAA DII XC Regional Awards2024 NCAA Division II Cross Country Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country season were announced on Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season.
Many of these athletes and coaches will end their season on Saturday, November 23, at the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Sacramento, California. The meet will be held at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
Men’s Athlete of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Jan Thewes — Davis and Elkins
Thewes won the individual title at the Atlantic Region Championships in 29:51.0. Earlier in the season, Thewes also took top individual honors at the Mountain East Championships in 25:00.2 as well as the Lock Haven Invitational in 24:10.5.
CENTRAL REGION — Ryan Hartman — Augustana (S.D.)
Hartman won the individual title at the Central Region Championships in 30:08.0. Earlier in the season, Hartman also took top individual honors at the NSIC Championships in 23:49.4, the Lewis Crossover in 23:38.5, and the Roy Griak Invitational in 25:16.1.
EAST REGION — Owen White — Roberts Wesleyan
White won the individual title at the East Region Championships in 31:15.5. Earlier in the season, White took runner-up honors at the East Coast Conference Championships in 25:48.8 as well as at the Daemen Alumni Invitational in 26:54.8.
MIDWEST REGION — Evan Horgan — Lewis
Horgan won the individual title at the Midwest Region Championships in 30:39.5. Earlier in the season, Horgan took top individual honors at the GLVC Championships in 23:23.7 and finished fifth at the Lewis Crossover in 24:00.1.
SOUTH REGION — Sam Wilhelm — Alabama-Huntsville
Wilhelm won the individual title at the South Region Championships in 30:16.0. Earlier in the season, Wilhelm took top individual honors at the Gulf South Championships in 23:52.9 and posted top-5 finishes at the UAH Chargers Invitational (second), the Chile Pepper Festival (fifth) and the Virginia Invitational (fourth).
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Romain Legendre — Adams State
Legendre won the individual title at the South Central Region Championships in 30:53.6. Earlier in the season, Legendre took top individual honors at the RMAC Championships in 23:33.8 and also placed top-10 at the NCAA DI heavy Joe Piane Invitational in 22:48.6.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Ricardo Barbosa — Wingate
Barbosa won the individual title at the Southeast Region Championships in 29:16.0. Earlier in the season, Barbosa finished eighth at the Paul Short Run in 23:42.2.
WEST REGION — Mario Giannini — Chico State
Giannini won the individual title at the West Region Championships in 30:25.6. Earlier in the season, Giannini took top individual honors at the CCAA Championships in 24:06.1.
Men’s Coach of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Jason Pyles — Davis and Elkins
Pyles, in his ninth year as head coach at Davis and Elkins, led the Senators to the team title at the Atlantic Region Championships with 40 points. Davis and Elkins also won team titles at the Mountain East Conference Championships with 24 points, Paul Short Run Brown Division with 79 points and Lock Haven Invitational with 43 points.
CENTRAL REGION — Wick Cunningham — Northwest Missouri
Cunningham, in his fourth year as head coach at Northwest Missouri, led the Bearcats to a close runner-up finish at the Central Region Championships with 76 points and summarily their best national ranking since 2019. Earlier in the season, Northwest Missouri won team titles at the MIAA Championships with 47 points, Griffon Invite with 25 points and Roy Griak Invitational Maroon Division with 36 points.
EAST REGION — John Wallin — Southern Connecticut
Wallin, in his 15th year as head coach at Southern Connecticut, led the Fighting Owls to the team title at the East Region Championships with 54 points. Southern Connecticut also won the team title at the Northeast-10 Conference Championships with 27 points.
MIDWEST REGION — Jerry Baltes — Grand Valley State
Baltes, in his 26th year as head coach at Grand Valley State, led the Lakers to the team title at the Midwest Region Championships with 40 points. Grand Valley State also won the team title at the GLIAC Championships with 15 points.
SOUTH REGION — Caleb Morgan — Lee (Tenn.)
Morgan, in his 11th year as head coach at Lee (Tenn.), led the Flames to the team title at the South Region Championships with 39 points. Lee also won the team title at the Gulf South Conference Championships with 24 points.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Chris Siemers — Colo. School of Mines
Siemers, in his 13th year as head coach at Colorado School of Mines, led the Orediggers to the team title at the South Central Region Championships with 40 points. Colorado School of Mines also won team titles at the RMAC Championships with 24 points, Lewis Crossover with 62 points, Ted Castaneda Classic with 34 points and Roadrunners Invitational with 20 points.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Pol Domenech — Wingate
Domenech, in his fifth year as head coach at Wingate, led the Bulldogs to the team title at the Southeast Region Championships with 15 points. Wingate also won team titles at the SAC Championships with 19 points, Royals Challenge Gold Division with 48 points and Paul Short Run Gold Division with 30 points.
WEST REGION — Gary Towne — Chico State
Towne, in his 29th year as head coach at Chico State, led the Wildcats to the team title at the West Region Championships with 40 points. Chico State also won team titles at the CCAA Championships with 18 points, UAH Chargers Invitational with 45 points, WWU Bill Roe Classic with 20 points and Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational with 15 points.
Women’s Athlete of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Anna Igims — Slippery Rock
Igims won the individual title at the Atlantic Region Championships in 20:35.4. Earlier in the season, Igims also took top individual honors at the PSAC Championships in 21:26.5, the Youngstown State Alumni Meet in 17:49.5, and the Doug Watts Open in 17:57.0.
CENTRAL REGION — Alyssa Becker — U-Mary
Becker won the individual title at the Central Region Championships in 20:20.2. Earlier in the season, Becker also took top individual honors at the NSIC Championships in 19:51.2, the Marauders Open in 20:05.5, as well as the Roy Griak Invitational in 21:54.5.
EAST REGION — Caitlin Burmester — Bentley
Burmester won the individual title at the East Region Championships in 21:52.9. Earlier in the season, Burmester took top individual honors at the Hartford XC Invitational in 10:59.1, and placed top-10 at the NEICAAA Championships.
MIDWEST REGION — Lauren Kiley — Grand Valley State
Kiley is undefeated this season with victories at both the Midwest Region Championships in 20:57.8 and the GLIAC Championships in 20:46.2.
SOUTH REGION — Aria Hawkins — Lee (Tenn.)
Hawkins won the individual title at the South Region Championships in 20:32.3. Earlier in the season, Hawkins took top individual honors at the GSC Championships in 20:45.3 and placed top-15 at the Live in the Lou Cross Country Classic.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Tristian Spence — Adams State
Spence won the individual title at the South Central Region Championships in 21:18.6. Earlier in the season, Spence finished fourth at the RMAC Championships in 19:45.2.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Taylor Stone — Flagler
Stone won the individual title at the Southeast Region Championships in 21:04.5, giving Flagler its first individual winner in program history. Earlier in the season, Stone also took top individual honors at the Peach Belt Championships in 17:22.5.
WEST REGION — Rosie Fordham — Alaska
Fordham won the individual title at the West Region Championships in 19:52.7. Earlier in the season, Fordham took runner-up honors at the GNAC Championships in 20:54.3, and was fourth at the Lewis Crossover in 21:00.5, among other performances.
Women’s Coach of the Year
ATLANTIC REGION — Jason Pyles — Davis and Elkins
Pyles, in his ninth year as head coach at Davis and Elkins, led the Lady Senators to the team title at the Atlantic Region Championships with 93 points. Davis and Elkins also won the team title at the Mountain East Conference Championships with 41 points.
CENTRAL REGION — Tracy Hellman — Augustana (S.D.)
Hellman, in his 24th year as head coach at Augustana (S.D.), led the Vikings to the team title at the Central Region Championships with 82 points. Augustana also won team titles at the NSIC Championships with 54 points and Roy Griak Invitational Maroon Division with 45 points.
EAST REGION — Andrew Dorr — Roberts Wesleyan
Dorr, in his 14th year as head coach at Roberts Wesleyan, led the Redhawks to the team title at the East Region Championships with 71 points. Roberts Wesleyan also won the team title at the East Coast Conference Championships with 30 points.
MIDWEST REGION — Jerry Baltes — Grand Valley State
Baltes, in his 26th year as head coach at Grand Valley State, led the Lakers to the team title at the Midwest Region Championships with 20 points. Grand Valley State also won the team title at the GLIAC Championships with 23 points.
SOUTH REGION — Caleb Morgan — Lee (Tenn.)
Morgan, in his 11th year as head coach at Lee (Tenn.), led the Flames to the team title at the South Region Championships with 18 points. Lee also won the team title at the Gulf South Conference Championships with 15 points
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION — Damon Martin — Adams State
Martin, in his 37th year as head coach at Adams State, led the Grizzlies to the team title at the South Central Region Championships with 37 points. Adams State also won team titles at the RMAC Championships with 30 points and Joe Vigil Open with 18 points.
SOUTHEAST REGION — Pol Domenech — Wingate
Domenech, in his fifth year as head coach at Wingate, led the Bulldogs to the team title at the Southeast Region Championships with 33 points. Wingate also won team titles at the SAC Championships with 27 points and Converse Kick-Off with 36 points.
WEST REGION — Gary Towne — Chico State
Towne, in his 29th year as head coach at Chico State, led the Wildcats to the team title at the West Region Championships with 104 points. Chico State also won team titles at the CCAA Championships with 43 points and Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational with 21 points.