Award History
NAIA ITF Regional Awards2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Regional Awards
NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Each of the five regions – Great Lakes, Midwest, South, South Central and West – honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
Many of these honored athletes and coaches are headed to the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships next week in Gainesville, Florida.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Youssef Asslouj – Cumberlands (Ky.)
Asslouj, who hails from Berrechild, Morocco, is ranked first nationally in the mile, 3000 meters and 5000 meters. He is ranked among the top-4 athletes in NAIA history in both the mile (No. 4, 3:59.70) and the 3000 meters (No. 3, 8:00.40). Asslouj’s mark in the mile came on an oversized track at the Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee.
MIDWEST REGION – Payton Mauldin – Dordt (Iowa)
Mauldin, who hails from George, Iowa, owns top NAIA marks in the 400, 600 and 800 meters. His 46.38 effort in the 400 meters is an NAIA record. Mauldin starred at the GPAC Championships, where he scored 22.5 points thanks to individual crowns in the 200 and 600 meters, as well as the climactic tote the 4×400 to victory.
SOUTH REGION – Barnabas Aggerh – William Carey (Miss.)
Aggerh, who hails from Ghana, shattered the NAIA record in the 60 meters with his 6.52 clocking at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. He also went 21.57 in the 200 meters this season for a time that ranks among the top-25 nationally.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Kamron Neal – Oklahoma Panhandle State
Neal, who hails from Houston, Texas, qualified for the NAIA Indoor Championships in four different events: 60 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and the 4×400 relay. He is among the best athletes in NAIA history in the 200 meters, where his 20.94 PR slots him second on a record-legal track in NAIA history.
WEST REGION – Maxximus Richmond – Eastern Oregon
Richmond, who hails from Spokane, Washington, qualified for the NAIA Indoor Championships as an individual in the 600 meters with his PR 1:19.43, and as part of several relays.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Christian Rios – Marian (Ind.)
Rios, who hails from Highland, Indiana, is currently ranked top-5 nationally in both the shot put and weight throw. Both of his season bests came in winning efforts at the Crossroads League Championships: 19.02m (62-5) in the weight throw; 17.09m (56-1) in the shot put.
MIDWEST REGION – Rober Atwater – Midland (Neb.)
Atwater, who hails from Detroit, Michigan, leads the nation in three different events: heptathlon (5296 points), high jump (2.15m/7-0½), and the long jump (7.51m/24-7¾). He was named the Male Athlete of the GPAC Indoor Championships after scoring 44 points – all in field events.
SOUTH REGION – Darius Barge – Life (Ga.)
Barge, who hails from Hazlehurst, Georgia, is ranked first nationally in the shot put at 17.50m (57-5). That mark came in a title-winning and record-breaking effort at the SSAC Indoor Championships.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Brenin Howell – Columbia (Mo.)
Howell, who hails from Westran, Missouri, is ranked fifth nationally in the shot put at 17.07m (56-0). He registered that mark in a winning effort at the AMC Indoor Championships.
WEST REGION – Justin Krabbenhoft – Eastern Oregon
Krabbenhoft, who hails from Metaline Falls, Washington, is ranked third nationally in the heptathlon with 5140 points. He amassed that total at the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open.
Men’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Katie Wise – Marian (Ind.)
Wise, in her first year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at Marian (Ind.), led the Knights to the team title at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships with a meet-record 315 points, winning 13 events. Marian accumulated qualifiers to the national championships in 16 events with top-10 rankings in 10 events.
MIDWEST REGION – Ed Fye – Doane (Neb.)
Fye, in his 23rd year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at Doane (Neb.), led the Tigers to the team title at the GPAC Indoor Championships with a meet-record 220.5 points, winning five events. Doane amassed 11 automatic qualifiers to the national championships, including two heptathletes in the Top-10.
SOUTH REGION – Ryan McKenzie – William Carey (Miss.)
McKenzie, in his third year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at William Carey (Miss.), led the Crusaders to the team title at the Southern States Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, winning six events. William Carey, ranked No. 8 nationally, has four athletes ranked in the top-5 nationally, including Barnabas Aggerh, who set an NAIA record 6.52 in the 60 meters.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Kyle Hiser – Kansas Wesleyan
Hiser, in his sixth year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at Kansas Wesleyan, led the Coyotes to the program’s first-ever team title at the KCAC Indoor Championships, winning four events. Kansas Wesleyan has three top-10 #EventSquad Rankings, led by its 1000-meter group at No. 9.
WEST REGION – Ben Welch – Eastern Oregon
Welch, in his 34th year as Head Coach at Eastern Oregon, led the Mountaineers to a No. 1 ranking in the West Region. Eastern Oregon accumulated 18 qualifiers to the national championships and has seven top-10 #EventSquad Rankings, led by its heptathlon foursome at No. 2.
Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Mychal Vinson – Marian (Ind.)
Vinson, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Marian (Ind.), coached the Knights’ mid-distance/distance athletes to win seven events at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships. Marian has three top-3 #EventSquad Rankings, led by the No. 1 group in the 600 meters, and has the No. 2-ranked relay teams in the 4×400 and distance medley, with the 4×800 at No. 3.
MIDWEST REGION – Zach Lurz – Doane (Neb.)
Lurz, in his sixth year as assistant coach at Doane (Neb.), coach the Tigers’ throwers to two top-2 #EventSquad Rankings – No. 1 in the weight throw and No. 2 in the shot put. Led by national weight throw leader Trey Dickey, his athletes combined for four top-8 finishes at the GPAC Indoor Championships.
SOUTH REGION – Malcolm Dias – William Carey (Miss.)
Dias, in his ninth year as assistant coach at William Carey (Miss.), coached the Crusaders’ sprinters to a No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking in the 60 meters, led by NAIA record setter Barbabas Aggerh, who was named SSAC Track Athlete of the Year. Two more of his sprinters qualified for nationals in the 60, along with athletes in the 400 and 600 and the 4×400 relay team.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Garrett Young – Kansas Wesleyan
Young, in his third year as Associate Head Coach at Kansas Wesleyan, coached the Coyotes’ mid-distance/distance athletes to account for 120 of Kansas Wesleyan’s 141 points in winning the program’s first-ever team title at the KCAC Indoor Championships. His athletes, who won three events at the KCAC Championships, have three top-10 #EventSquad Rankings, led by the 1000-meter group at No. 9.
WEST REGION – Connor Bracken – Eastern Oregon
Bracken, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Eastern Oregon, coached eight Mountaineer athletes to national qualifying marks in six events across the sprints, hurdles, jumps and combined events. His athletes amassed four top-10 #EventSquad Rankings, led by a No. 2 in the heptathlon and a No. 3 in the high jump.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Katie Woods – Marian (Ind.)
Woods, who hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is ranked among the nation’s top-15 athletes in four individual events, including top marks in the mile (4:51.20) and 800 meters (2:11.47). She also carries the baton for the nation’s top-ranked DMR and second-ranked 4×800 relay. Woods scored 22.5 points at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships with victories in the 1000 meters, mile, as well as a tote on the winning DMR.
MIDWEST REGION – Hannah Antkoviak – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Antkoviak, who hails from Allegan, Michigan, shattered the NAIA record in the 600 meters with her 1:29.49 effort at the CCAC Indoor Championships. Her marks in the 200 meters, 400 meters and 60-meter hurdles rank her among the top-10 athletes on the seasonal Descending Order List, highlighted by the nation’s top 400-meter effort of 54.13.
SOUTH REGION – Briana Campbell – Life (Ga.)
Campbell, who hails from Spanish Town, Jamaica, is ranked first nationally in both the 60 meters and 60-meter hurdles, and sits second nationally in the 200 meters. Her PR 8.18 in the 60-meter hurdles also doubles as the NAIA record. Campbell set PRs of 7.37 and 24.05 in winning efforts at the SSAC Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Riley Hiebert – Saint Mary (Kan.)
Hiebert, who hails from Eudora, Kansas, is ranked among the nation’s top-15 fastest athletes in both the mile and 3000 meters. She went sub-5 in the mile at 4:58.70 and sub-10 in the 3000 meters at 9:57.13. Hiebert scored 20.5 points at the KCAC Indoor Championships behind a winning effort in the 3000 meters, a runner-up effort in the mile, and a tote on the winning DMR.
WEST REGION – Alauna Carstens – Evergreen State (Wash.)
Carstens currently ranks in the top-10 nationally in the mile, 3000 meters and 5000 meters. Her best mark of the season came in the 3000 meters of 9:40.70 at the Husky Classic.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Sydney Duncan – IU Kokomo (Ind.)
Duncan, who hails from Anderson, Indiana, set and then bettered the NAIA record in the shot put several times this season. Her first record-breaking effort came at the Indiana Early Bird when she threw 16.46m (54-0). Then, Duncan improved that mark to 16.47m (54-0½) on February 8 and finally to 16.75m (54-11½) on February 15 where it stands today.
MIDWEST REGION – Kori Nagel – Dickinson State (N.D.)
Nagel, who hails from Center, North Dakota, is ranked among the nation’s top-5 athletes in both the shot put and weight throw. Both of her season bests came in winning efforts at the NSAA Indoor Championships: 14.95m (49-0¾) in the shot put; 18.88m (61-11½) in the weight throw.
SOUTH REGION – Fabiana Morales – William Carey (Miss.)
Morales, who hails from Puerto la Crus, Venezuela, leads the nation in the triple jump at 12.56m (41-2½). She starred at the SSAC Indoor Championships, where she won a trio of event titles with victories in the high jump, long jump and triple jump – the latter two with PRs.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Victoria Lotz – MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
Lotz, who hails from Spring Hill, Kansas, is ranked first nationally in the weight throw at 19.59m (64-3¼). She was named the HOA Conference Field Athlete of the Year after sweeping the throws at the conference championships.
WEST REGION – Abi Stevens – Southern Oregon
Stevens, who hails from West Allis, Wisconsin, leads the nation in the pentathlon with 3678 points. She is also ranked fourth nationally in the high jump with her PR 1.75m (5-8¾).
Women’s Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Katie Wise – Marian (Ind.)
Wise, in her first year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at Marian (Ind.), led the Knights to the team title at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships with a meet-record 248 points, winning 10 events. Marian, which is ranked No. 2 nationally, has national qualifiers in 15 events, including three events ranking No. 1.
MIDWEST REGION – Kyle Rago – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Rago, in his fifth year as Head Coach at Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), led the Tigers to the team title at the Chicagoland Conference Indoor Championships, winning 10 events. Olivet Nazarene, which is ranked No. 5 nationally, scored 279 points, which was 113 points ahead of the runner-up program.
SOUTH REGION – Ryan McKenzie – William Carey (Miss.)
McKenzie, in his third year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, led the Crusaders to the team title at the Southern States Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, winning seven events. William Carey has No. 1 #EventSquad in two events – long jump and triple jump – and had four SSAC field athletes of the week this year.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Kenny Anderson – Central Methodist (Mo.)
Anderson, in his fifth year as Director of Track & Field at Central Methodist (Mo.), led the Eagles to the team title at the Heart of America Conference Indoor Championships, winning six events. Central Methodist has three No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings – 600 meters, 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon.
WEST REGION – Ben Welch – Eastern Oregon
Welch, in his 34th year as Head Coach at Eastern Oregon, led the Mountaineers to a No. 1 ranking in the West Region. Eastern Oregon broke four school records this year in qualifying 10 athletes to the national championships in nine events.
Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Presley Martin – Marian (Ind.)
Martin, in his third year as assistant coach at Marian (Ind.), coached the Knights’ mid-distance/distance athletes to four event wins and 56 points at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships. His athletes have No. 1 rankings in the 800, mile and distance medley relay along with a No. 3 #EventSquad Ranking in the 800.
MIDWEST REGION – Zontavius Johnson – Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Johnson, in his third year as assistant coach at Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), coached the Tigers’ athletes in the sprints, hurdles and combined events to score 134 of the team’s 279 points in winning the Chicagoland Conference Indoor Championships, earning Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Olivet Nazarene has four top-4 #EventSquad Rankings in his areas, including No. 1 spots in the 400 meters and 60-meter hurdles.
SOUTH REGION – Malcolm Dias – William Carey (Miss.)
Dias, in his third year as Associate Head Coach at William Carey (Miss.), assisted the Crusaders to winning the team title at the Southern States Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. His athletes combined to earn No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings in the long jump and triple jump, while the team’s top 60-meter hurdler ranks No. 3.
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION – Nathan Houser – MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
Houser, in his third year as assistant coach at MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), coached Pioneers’ throwers to score 30 of the team’s 94 points at the Heart of America Conference Indoor Championships. His athletes set seven school records and were led by Victoria Lotz, national leader in the weight throw and conference champion in the shot put and weight throw.
WEST REGION – Connor Bracken – Eastern Oregon
Bracken, in his seventh year as assistant coach at Eastern Oregon, coached eight Mountaineer athletes to national qualifying marks in seven events across the sprints, hurdles, jumps and combined events. His athletes broke school records in four events – 60 meters, 60-meter hurdles, high jump and pentathlon.