2025 NJCAA Division III Cross Country Regional Awards

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

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

Men’s Athlete of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Nathan Ciarlette — Joliet (Ill.) JC

Ciarlette won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 4 Championships. He also took top individual honors at the Saints Twilight Invite and finished top two at two other meets that featured numerous four-year programs.

EAST REGION — Tristan Weaver — Thaddeus Stevens (Pa.)

Weaver won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 19 Championships. He has led Thaddeus Stevens College all season, including a fourth-place finish at the PSU Abington Invitational to help the team to second place.

NORTHEAST REGION — Benjamin Vasquez — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

Vasquez won the individual title at the NJCAA DIII Region 15 Championships.

Men’s Coach of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Jeff DeGraw — Joliet (Ill.) JC

DeGraw led the Wolves to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Region 4 Championships with 42 points. Joliet has been ranked among the top-3 in every national coaches poll this season.

EAST REGION — Matthew Robinson — Thaddeus Stevens (Pa.)

Robinson led the Bulldogs to the team title at the NJCAA Region 19 Championships with 26 points. Thaddeus Stevens also won the team at the EPAC Championships.

NORTHEAST REGION — Matthew French — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

French led the Sharks to a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Region 15 Championships.

Women’s Athlete of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Jessica Balmer — College of DuPage (Ill.)

Balmer won the DIII individual title at the NJCAA Region 4 Championships, running under the previous course record. She finished among the top NJCAA DIII runners in five races this season, including at the Bradley Pink Classic and the Seminole Valley Stampede.

EAST REGION — Laney Vecchio — RCSJ Gloucester (N.J.)

Vecchio won the individual title at the NJCAA Region 19 Championships.

NORTHEAST REGION — Brooke Keitel — Suffolk County (N.Y.) CC

Keitel won the DIII individual title at the NJCAA Region 15 Championships in 21:09.9. She was named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week on October 20, 2025.

Women’s Coach of the Year

CENTRAL REGION — Steven Davis — Mineral Area (Mo.)

Davis led the Cardinals to the team title at the NJCAA Region 16 Championships with 24 points. Mineral Area was ranked No. 1 in the last three National Coaches’ Poll of the season.

EAST REGION — Ryan Hughes – RCSJ Gloucester (N.J.)

Hughes led the Roadrunners to the team title at the NJCAA Region 19 Championships with 39 points.

NORTHEAST REGION — Howard Lindsay – FIT (N.Y.)

Lindsay led the Tigers to the team title at the NJCAA Region 15 Championships. FIT was also the top JUCO team in three other meets this season.