Conner Mantz, BYU: 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Year

Conner Mantz, who hails from Smithfield, Utah, went out on top. The BYU standout defended his individual title at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships – and capped an undefeated season – when he traversed the 10k tract at Apalachee Regional Park in a course-record 28:33.1. It was an incredibly consistent run from Mantz in Tallahassee, Florida, as he covered the first 5k in 14:16.4 and the second 5k in 14:16.7. Earlier in the season, Mantz placed first at three other notables meets, including the Mountain Region Championships, the West Coast Conference Championships and the FSU Invite/Pre-National Invitational.