2025 NJCAA Division II Cross Country Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Here are the Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2025 NJCAA Division II Cross Country season.

These awards were voted on by member coaches before the NJCAA Championships.

Men’s Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION — Hayden Clark — Daytona State (Fla.)

Clark won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 8 Championships, helping Daytona State capture the team title with 24 points. He also finished as the No. 2 junior college runner at the Florida State Invitational.

CENTRAL REGION — Daniel Leija — Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) CC

Leija won the individual title at the ACCC/Region 22 Championships in 26:02.2. He was named 2025 ACCC/Region 22 Runner of the Year and set a new 8k school record with a time of 25:20.1.

GREAT LAKES REGION — Nate Carmody — Lansing (Mich.) CC

Carmody, who finished runner-up at the NJCAA Region 12 Championships, was the first JUCO runner in four of his six races this season. He posted a team best PR of 25:16 during the regular season.

MIDWEST REGION — Eli Page — Des Moines Area (Iowa) CC

Melchert won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 11 Championships in 25:37, finishing 27 seconds ahead of the runner-up. He has led Des Moines Area CC in every meet this year and holds the school record.

WEST REGION — Esteban Boisseau — Cowley (Kan.)

Boisseau won the NJCAA Region VI/KJCCC Division II title, finishing 11th overall in 25:06.7. He was twice named USTFCCCA M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week and ran 24:17.6 for 8k at Fort Hays State, the third-fastest 8k in Cowley College history.

Men’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION — Judy Wilson — Daytona State (Fla.)

Wilson led the Falcons to the team title at the NJCAA Region 8 Championships with 24 points. Daytona State was also the first JUCO team at the Florida Intercollegiates and Florida State Invite.

CENTRAL REGION — Tony Crider — Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) CC

Crider led the Lions to the team title at the NJCAA Region 22 Championships with a perfect score of 15 points. Wallace State has been ranked among the top-3 in every National Coaches’ Poll since the preseason.

GREAT LAKES REGION — James Robinson — Lansing (Mich.) CC

Robinson led the Stars to the team title at the NJCAA Region 12 Championships with a perfect score of 15 points. Lansing has been ranked No. 1 in every National Coaches’ Poll this season, won the Muskegon Jayhawk Invitational (defeating several four-year programs) and was the only two-year school invited to compete in the Gold Division at the Louisville Classic.

MIDWEST REGION — Michael Melchert — Des Moines Area (Iowa) CC

Melchert led the Bears to the team title at the NJCAA Region 11 Championships with 18 points. Des Moines Area was ranked No. 3 nationally in the last two coaches polls.

WEST REGION — Dave Barney – Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC

Barney led the Pumas to the team title at the NJCAA Region 1 Championships with 31 points. Paradise Valley has been ranked among the top-4 in every National Coaches’ Poll since the preseason.

Women’s Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION — Mei Chiang — Florida State College-Jacksonville

Chiang won the individual title at the FCSAA Region 8 Championships in 18:45.4, tying the event record and earning Region 8 Runner of the Year. She also posted multiple top finishes this season, including a 19:06.1 at the Florida Intercollegiate Invite and a PR of 18:31.3 at the Florida Gateway XC Invitational.

CENTRAL REGION — Brookelyn Morgan — Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) CC

Morgan won the individual title at the ACCC/Region 22 Championships in 19:06.6 and was named ACCC Female Runner of the Year. She set her best time two weeks earlier at the Royal’s Challenge, breaking her school and personal record with 18:26.20.

GREAT LAKES REGION — Abby Davis — Montcalm (Mich.) CC

Davis won the individual title at the MCCAA Region 12 Championships, setting a school record of 18:17.0. She also won three of five meets this season, earning conference and regional honors while helping Montcalm CC reach its first national ranking.

MIDWEST REGION — Brooke Koelm — Lake Land (Ill.)

Koelm won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 24 Championships, her second win of the year, and earned Runner of the Year and First Team All-Region honors. She set a 6k record at EIU with 22:57 and posted multiple top finishes, including 18:39 for 5k at the Greenville International.

WEST REGION — Olivia Baker — Mesa (Ariz.) CC

Baker won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 1/ACCAC Championships in 18:23.8. She has been undefeated against all NJCAA DII runners this season and holds the fastest 5k and 6k times in DII, setting multiple course and school records.

Women’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION — Judy Wilson — Daytona State (Fla.)

Wilson led the Falcons to the team title at the NJCAA Region 8 Championships with 26 points. Daytona State was the top JUCO team in all six meets this season.

CENTRAL REGION — Tony Crider — Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) CC

Crider led the Lions to the team title at the NJCAA Region 22 Championships with 21 points. Wallace State has been ranked among the top-3 in every National Coaches’ Poll since the preseason.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Nick Marcinkowski – Muskegon (Mich.) CC

Marcinkowski led the Jayhawks to the team title at the NJCAA Region 12 Championships with 69 points. Muskegon has been ranked among the top-5 in every national coaches poll this season.

MIDWEST REGION — Dimitri Dimizas — Moraine Valley (Ill.) CC

Dimizas led the Cyclones to the team title at the NJCAA Region 4 Championships with 18 points.

WEST REGION — Daniel Pescador — Mesa (Ariz.) CC

Pescador led the Thunderbirds to the team title at the NJCAA Region 1 Championships with 29 points. Mesa has been ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in every National Coaches’ Poll this season.