Award History
NCAA DIII XC National Awards2024 NCAA Division III Cross Country National Awards
NEW ORLEANS — National Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA Division III 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.
HISTORY: National Athletes of the Year | National Coaches of the Year
Awards were voted on by member coaches based on results from both the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, and during the regular season.
Dr. Jack Daniels Award
National Women's Coach of the Year
Riley Macon was named the 2024 NCAA DIII Women’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year, also known as the Dr. Jack Daniels Award. Macon, in his third year as head coach at MIT, led the Engineers to the team title at the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships. MIT didn’t have an athlete finish in the top-15, but used a pack mentality to secure a ten-point win over UChicago, 128-138. Kate Sanderson, Rujuta Sane and Christina Crow all earned All-America honors for the Engineers. Earlier in the season, MIT won team titles at the East Region Championships, NEWMAC Championships, Connecticut College Invitational, as well as the D3 Pre-Nationals.
National Men's Coach of the Year
Derek Stanley was named the 2024 NCAA DIII Men’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Stanley, in his 13th year as head coach at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. UW-La Crosse put a stamp on a dominant season with a 96-point victory over Wartburg, 77-173. Four Eagles were among the top-20 finishers, paced by Grant Matthai in second and Aidan Matthai in fifth place. Earlier in the season, UW-La Crosse won team titles at the North Region Championships, WIAC Championships, Luther vs La Crosse Dual, Drews-Neubauer Invitational, Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, UW-Eau Claire Blugold Invitational and the John McNichols Invitational.
National Women's Athlete of the Year
Faith Duncan was named the 2024 NCAA DIII Women’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Duncan, who hails from Wilmington, Ohio, capped an undefeated season with a victory at the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Wilmington (Ohio) standout covered the 6k tract at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in 20:16.5, nearly 42 seconds faster than the rest of the field. Duncan won seven other races this season, notably at the Great Lakes Region Championships, OAC Championships, as well as the D3 Pre-Nationals with another decisive 20+ second victory.
National Men's Athlete of the Year
Christian Patzka was named the 2024 NCAA DIII Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Patzka, who hails from Black Earth, Wisconsin, captured the individual title at the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. The UW-Whitewater standout traversed the 8k tract of the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in 24:01.6, more than two seconds faster than the rest of the field. Earlier in the season, Patzka took top individual honors at the Augustana (Ill.) Interregional Invitational and posted three different runner-up finishes.