Award History
NCAA DI XC National Awards2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Awards
NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country season were announced on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the season.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches based on performances both during the regular season and at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. Only individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
The Peter Tegen Award
National Women's Coach of the Year
Diljeet Taylor was named the 2024 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Taylor, in her ninth year as head coach, led BYU to the team title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. The Cougars, who entered the meet as the nation’s top-ranked squad, surged ahead between the 4k and 5k split on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course and won by 17 points over West Virginia, 147-164. BYU finished with three All-Americans. Earlier in the season, the Cougars captured team titles at the Mountain Region Championships, Big 12 Championships, Wisconsin Pre-Nationals as well as the Autumn Classic. BYU also turned in a strong runner-up showing at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.
The Bill Dellinger Award
National Men's Coach of the Year
Ed Eyestone was named the 2024 NCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Eyestone, in his 25th year as head coach, led BYU to the team title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. The Cougars, who entered the meet as the nation’s top-ranked squad, led from the start and notched a 13-point win over Iowa State, 124-137. BYU had four All-America athletes, including low-stick Casey Clinger in sixth place. The Cougars capped an undefeated season with their national title, having also won team titles at the Mountain Region Championships, Big 12 Championships, Bill Dellinger Invitational, Nuttycombe Invitational, Autumn Classic and the Utah State Alumni Challenge.
The Lance Harter Award
National Women's Athlete of the Year
Doris Lemngole was named the 2024 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Lemngole, who hails from West Pokot County, Kenya, captured the individual title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconisin. The Alabama standout crossed the finish line of the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in 19:21.0 for a decisive 6.8-second victory. That was one of five triumphs this season for Lemngole, who also took top individual honors at the SEC Championships, Crimson Classic, Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational and the Southern Showcase. The only meet in which Lemngole didn’t win this season was the South Regional Championships, where she finished runner-up.
National Men's Athlete of the Year
Graham Blanks was named the 2024 NCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. Blanks, who hails from Athens, Georgia, captured the individual title at the 2024 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. The Harvard standout crossed the finish line in 28:37.2 and obliterated the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course record by 31 seconds. Earlier in the season, Blanks took top individual honors at both the Northeast Region Championships and the Ivy League Championships. Blanks also finished runner-up at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals in his first race of the season.