2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Regional Awards

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season.

Many of these winners will end their seasons at the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, set for this weekend in Rochester, New York.

Information on each of the winners can be found below.

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Ryan Wilson – MIT

Wilson, who hails from Redwood City, California, clocked two all-time divisional marks this year – both at the Bryan Clay Invitational in mid-April. Most notably, Wilson took down the NCAA DIII record in the 1500 meters with his 3:40.06 effort. Wilson also added a 1:47.93 clocking over 800 meters, which puts him fourth on the all-time chart. He is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition. 

GREAT LAKES REGION – Alex Phillip – John Carroll

Phillip, who hails from Akron, Ohio, set NCAA DIII records this year: first in the 5000 meters when he went 13:47.41 at the Stanford Invitational; then, in the 10,000 meters with his 28:31.60 effort at the Payton Jordan Invitational. The John Carroll standout also completed the distance double at the OAC Outdoor Championships.

METRO REGION – Cheickna Traore – Ramapo

Traore, who hails from Jersey City, New Jersey, shattered the NCAA DIII record in the 200 meters with his 20.49 effort at the Hurricane Invitational in mid-March. He is also ranked third nationally in the 100 meters at 10.39. Traore completed the 100-200 double at the NJAC Outdoor Championships and followed that up with a 400-meter crown at the AARTFC Outdoor Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Andrew McGovern – Carnegie Mellon

McGovern, who hails from Lexington, Massachusetts, is ranked seventh nationally in the 400-meter hurdles at 52.67. He is undefeated in the 400H this season, which includes a 1.47-second victory at the UAA Outdoor Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Travis Martin – Trinity (Conn.)

Martin, who hails from New Haven, Connecticut, is ranked second nationally in the 1500 meters at 3:44.16, which also makes him the ninth-fastest performer in NCAA DIII history. He also set a 14:19.90 PR over 5000 meters in a winning effort at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Mike Jasa – Loras

Jasa, who hails from , notched two all-time top-5 marks in the 800 meters this season: he went 1:47.81 at the Dr. Tucker Open and moved up to No. 3 on the all-time chart with the fastest mark by an NCAA DIII athlete since 2006; the following week, Jasa added a 1:48.01 clocking at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Championships for the fifth-best performance in division annals. Jasa also helped Loras break its own division record in the 4×800 at the Drake Relays, which also shattered a longstanding College Division record.

NIAGARA REGION – Lance Jensen – SUNY Geneseo

Jensen, who hails from Candor, New York, is the national leader in the 400-meter hurdles at 51.90, a mark that he clocked at the St. John Fisher Cardinal Classic. He turned his attention to the sprints at the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships and won both the 100 and 200.

NORTH REGION – Sam Blaskowsi – UW-La Crosse

Blaskowski, who hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, broke a longstanding NCAA DIII record in the 100 meters with his wind-legal 10.16 clocking at the UW-La Crosse Qualifier. That gave him two all-time top-5 marks in the event, adding to his 10.20 effort from earlier in the season. In addition to being ranked third on the Descending Order List in the 200 meters, Blaskowski carried the baton on UW-La Crosse’s 4×100 relay that notched the third-fastest mark in NCAA DIII history.

SOUTH REGION – Sam Llaneza – Lynchburg

Llaneza, who hails from Bristow, Virginia, is ranked among the top-10 seasonal performers in both the 1500 meters (No. 6, 3:45.18) and 800 meters (No. 9, 1:49.62). He won the 800-meter crown and finished runner-up in the 1500 meters at the ODAC Outdoor Championships. 

WEST REGION – Colin Kirkpatrick – Pomona-Pitzer

Kirkpatrick, who hails from Queenstown, New Zealand, shattered the NCAA DIII steeplechase record with his 8:41.92 clocking at the Sound Running Track Fest. Earlier in the season, he went 8:44.21 for what is now the fourth-fastest mark in NCAA DIII history. Kirkpatrick won the steeplechase and finished runner-up in the 5000 meters at the SCIAC Outdoor Championships.

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Sam Engerbretson – MIT

Engerbretson, who hails from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, tops the region in both the discus and the hammer, and sits second in the shot put. He won titles in all three of those throwing events at the NEWMAC Outdoor Championships – which included a PR in the hammer of 58.64m (192-5) – and was named Field Athlete of the Year for his efforts.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Keegan Digby – Ohio Northern

Digby, who hails from Bowling Green, Ohio, is ranked third nationally in the shot put with a heave of 17.46m (57-3½), a mark that he recorded at the Ashland Alumni Open. He scored 12 points in field events at the OAC Outdoor Championships with a victory in the shot put and a seventh-place effort in the hammer. 

METRO REGION – Alex Kristeller – Widener

Kristeller, who hails from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, is ranked first nationally in the hammer at 64.77m (212-6), a mark that puts him among the all-time top-10 performers in NCAA DIII history. He capped the regular season with a pair of winning, record-setting efforts at the MAC Outdoor Championships and the AARTFC Outdoor Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Bryce Ellinger – Susquehanna

Ellinger, who hails from Minersville, Pennsylvania, is ranked fourth nationally in the high jump at 2.08m (6-9¾). He scored 15 points at the Landmark Conference Outdoor Championships after winning the high jump with his PR and finishing fourth in the long jump at 6.70m (21-11¾).  

MIDEAST REGION – Jackson Anderson – Williams

Anderson, who hails from Somerville, Massachusetts, is ranked fourth nationally in the decathlon at 6686 points. He set PRs this season in the decathlon, discus and javelin throws.

MIDWEST REGION – Cade Collier – Dubuque

Collier, who hails from Le Claire, Iowa, is ranked among the nation’s top-10 seasonal performers in both the hammer and shot put. He won both events at the A-R-C Outdoor Championships and set a meet record in the hammer with his PR of 59.42m (194-4).

NIAGARA REGION – Shevaughn Allen – Buffalo State

Allen, who hails from Buffalo, New York, leads the nation in the triple jump at 15.66m (51-4½) and sits fourth nationally in the long jump at 7.52m (24-8¼). He closed out the regular season in dynamic fashion, winning the triple jump at the AARTFC Outdoor Championships with a facility record-setting effort and taking runner-up honors in the long jump. Not long before that, Allen swept the horizontal jump titles at the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships.  

NORTH REGION – Cade Gray – Ripon

Gray, who hails from Belleville, Florida, demonstrated quite the versatility this season, owning the national lead in the pole vault at 5.16m (16-11) and ranking second nationally in the long jump at 7.63m (25-0½). His season included a pair of titles at the MWC Outdoor Championships as well as a College/University Division crown at the Drake Relays in the long jump. 

SOUTH REGION – Peter Fulton – Bridgewater (Va.)

Fulton, who hails from Bridgewater, Virginia, is ranked among the nation’s top-10 seasonal performers in both the hammer (No. 4, 60.34m/198-0) and discus (53.25m/174-9). He scored 28 points at the ODAC Outdoor Championships thanks to victories in both the discus and hammer, as well as a runner-up effort in the shot put. He was named ODAC Field Athlete of the Meet.

WEST REGION – Gerrit Twitero – Texas Lutheran

Twitero, who hails from McQueeney, Texas, is ranked first nationally in the high jump at 2.10m (6-10¾). He won the high jump at three out of the past four meets in which he competed, which included the SCAC Outdoor Championships where he topped 2.05m (6-8¾) for the crown.

Men’s Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Michael Salem – UMass Dartmouth

Salem, in his fifth year as Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at UMass Dartmouth, led the Corsairs to the team title at the Little East Conference Outdoor Championships and a runner-up finish at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships. Four of his athletes qualified to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships in six events, and 10 of his athletes earned All-Region honors. UMass Dartmouth won nine events at the LEC Championships.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Mark FitzPatrick – Denison

FitzPatrick, in his 12th year as head coach at Denison, led the Big Red to the team title at the NCAC Outdoor Championships with 162 points, scoring in all 21 events as the program earned its first NCAC crown since 1991. Denison is ranked No. 8 in the Great Lakes Region and four of their athletes earned All-Region honors. Denison also won the team title at the All-Ohio Outdoor Championships.

METRO REGION – Dustin Dimit – Rowan

Dimit, in his ninth year as head coach at Rowan, led the Profs to the team title at the NJAC Outdoor Championships and AARTFC Outdoor Championships. Ranked No. 3 nationally, Rowan earned 30 All-Conference honors at the NJAC Championships. A total of 12 of his athletes qualified to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships in 13 events. 

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Gary Aldrich – Carnegie Mellon

Aldrich, in his ninth year as head coach at Carnegie Mellon, led the Tartans to the team title at the UAA Outdoor Championships, winning five events. Ranked No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region, his team has 14 All-Region athletes and one relay team. Aldrich directly coached three UAA champions and his athletes scored 66 of the team’s 171.5 points at the UAA Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Colin Tory – RPI

Tory, in his 23rd year as head coach at RPI, led the Engineers to the team title at the Liberty League Outdoor Championships with 224 points. His athletes combined to win seven individual events, setting three championship records. In addition, RPI collected five runner-up finishes, including three by freshmen.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his 16th year as head coach at Loras, led the Duhawks to a runner-up team finish at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Championships. Five of his athletes are ranked No. 1 in the Midwest Region, and his 4×800 and distance medley relay teams set national records. Loras is ranked in the top-10 in eight events in #EventSquad Rankings.

NIAGARA REGION – Christopher Popovici – SUNY Geneseo

Popovici, in his ninth as head coach at SUNY Geneseo, led the Knights to the team title at the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships with 241 points, including eight individual champions. His team ranked No. 1 in the Niagara Region and featured the No. 1-ranked 400 hurdles in #EventSquad Rankings. School records were set in seven events this year.

NORTH REGION – Josh Buchholtz – UW-La Crosse

Buchholtz, in his 15th year as head coach at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the WIAC Outdoor Championships and a No. 1 ranking in the North Region. His athletes lead the region in six events and have 12 top-15 national rankings, including national-leading marks in the 100 and 4×100 relay.

SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory

Nguyen, in his fourth year as head coach at Emory, led the Eagles to a third-place team finish at the UAA Outdoor Championships, winning six events. His athletes combined for 26 South Region top-10 rankings, holding the top spot in three events. Emory finished No. 6 in the 800 meters #EventSquad Rankings.

WEST REGION – Glenn Stewart – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

Stewart, in his 10th year as head coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, led the Stags to the team title at the SCIAC Outdoor Championships, winning by over 60 points. His athletes have five West Region-leading marks and 13 in the top-5. Ranked in the top-10 nationally in five events, C-M-S is sending 11 athletes to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships in six individual events and two relays.

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Jared Marshall – UMass Dartmouth

Marshall, in his third year as assistant coach at UMass Dartmouth, coached Corsair athletes to win seven event titles at the Little East Conference Outdoor Championships. His athletes set two meet records and combined for 100 of UMass Dartmouth’s 179 points in winning the LEC team title. Two of his athletes earned LEC Track Athlete of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors. 

GREAT LAKES REGION – Molly Amidon – Ohio Northern

Amidon, in her sixth year as assistant coach at Ohio Northern, coached six Polar Bear athletes in three events to qualify for the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships. Her sprint/hurdle event group was responsible for scoring 48 of Ohio Northern’s 99 points in finishing third at the OAC Outdoor Championships. Seven of her athletes combine for top-5 rankings in the Great Lakes Region.

METRO REGION – Ackeme Brown – Ramapo

Brown, in his first year as assistant coach at Ramapo, coached Roadrunner sprinters to five school records. His top pupil, Cheickna Traore, set a national record in the 200 meters with a time of 20.49. Ramapo’s 4×400 relay team, also under his guidance, won the title at the NJAC Outdoor Championships.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Tim Connelly – Carnegie Mellon

Connelly, in his ninth year as associate head coach at Carnegie Mellon, coached Tartan athletes to score 74 of the team’s 171.5 points in winning the UAA Outdoor Championships. His athletes won titles in the UAA 400 hurdles and 4×800 relay, setting a school record in the latter, and his steeplechasers rated No. 8 in the #EventSquad Rankings.

MIDEAST REGION – John Lynch – RPI

Lynch, in his 12th year as assistant coach at RPI, coached Engineer distance runners to score 104 points of the team’s 224 points in winning the team title at the Liberty League Outdoor Championships. His athletes went 1-7 in the 10,000 at the Liberty League Championships to amass 38 points. Two of his runners qualified for the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships, and three of his events – 1500, 5000 and 10,000 – finished top-6 in the #EventSquad Rankings.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Sinnott – North Central (Ill.)

Sinnott, in his first year as assistant coach at North Central (Ill.), coached Cardinal distance runners to combine for 104 of the team’s 152.5 points at the CCIW Outdoor Championships. His athletes won four events at the CCIW Championships – 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000. His runners tallied seven top-30 national performances, with two in the top-6.

NIAGARA REGION – Jay Petsch – Rochester (N.Y.)

Petsch, in his 10th year as assistant coach at Rochester (N.Y.), coached Yellowjacket athletes to score 79 points at the Liberty League Outdoor Championships. His athletes had a 1-2-3 sweep in the decathlon and a 1-2-5 finish in triple jump while also taking five of the eight scoring places in the long jump. His long jump and decathletes finished No. 4 in the EventSquad Rankings.

NORTH REGION – Jeff Miller – UW-Whitewater

Miller, in his 41st year as assistant coach at UW-Whitewater, coached Warhawk distance runners to combine for 38 of the team’s 124 points in finishing third at the WIAC Outdoor Championships. His prized pupil, Christian Patzka, leads the North Region in three events – 1500, steeplechase and 5000 – and is ranked among the top-10 performers in NCAA DIII history in the latter two. Justin Krause (1500) and Gunner Schlender (10,000) both rate No. 2 regionally. 

SOUTH REGION – Joe Brunner – Bridgewater (Va.)

Brunner, in his third year as assistant coach at Bridgewater (Va.), coached Eagle throwers to score 61 points in four events at the ODAC Outdoor Championships. His top pupil, Peter Fulton, set ODAC Championship records in the discus and hammer and was named ODAC Field Athlete of the Meet. In all, his throwers collected five All-Region and six All-ODAC honors.

WEST REGION – Lekeisha Moore – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

Moore, in her second year as head assistant coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, coached Stag sprinters to three SCIAC records (100, 200 and 4×400 relay) and two SCIAC Championship records (4×100 and 4×400). Her athletes scored 76 points at the SCIAC Championships and have West Region’s top performances in five events – 100, 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400 – with two nationally ranking No. 2 (100, 200).

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Sydney Packard – WPI

Packard, who hails from Georgetown, Massachusetts, is ranked fifth nationally in the 800 meters at 2:09.80. She is also ranked among the nation’s top-15 seasonal performers in the 1500 meters at 4:29.32. Packard was crowned 800-meter champion at the NEWMAC Outdoor Championships and broke the tape first in the 1500 meters at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships (a meet in which she also anchored the winning DMR squad).

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kenadee Wayt – Mount Union

Wayt, who hails from Wheeling, West Virginia, is ranked among the nation’s top-10 seasonal performers in three events: 200 meters (No. 2, 24.05), 400 meters (No. 2, 54.18) and the 100 meters (No. 10, 11.79). She scored 25 points at the OAC Outdoor Championships – highlighted by individual victories in the 100 and 200 – and was named the OAC Outstanding Sprinter of the Meet.

METRO REGION – Eliza Bruncaj – TCNJ

Bruncaj, who hails from Hanover Park, New Jersey, is ranked fifth nationally in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:00.20. She swept both hurdling events at the NJAC Outdoor Championships and set PR in the 100-meter hurdles of 14.27 in the process. Bruncaj is also a member of TCNJ’s 4×400 relay team that is ranked fifth nationally at 3:46.57.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Lauren Phillips – Johns Hopkins

Phillips, who hails from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is ranked eighth nationally in the 400 meters at 55.46. She scored 25 points at the Centennial Conference Championships with individual titles in the 200 meters, 400 meters, and toting the baton on winning 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams.

MIDEAST REGION – Michelle Kwafo – Coast Guard

Kwafo, who hails from Ewing, New Jersey, already won eight championship titles this postseason, highlighted by a sweep of the 100 and 100-meter hurdles at the NEICAAA Outdoor Championships. She set personal bests in both of those events, including a wind-legal 11.67 in the 100 that moved her up to No. 4 in NCAA DIII history. Kwafo completed the 100-200-100H triple at both the NEWMAC and New England DIII Outdoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Kassie Parker – Loras

Parker, who hails from Guttenburg, Iowa, set NCAA DIII records in both the 5000 meters (15:37.00) and 10,000 meters (32:36.22). She made quick work of her events at the A-R-C Outdoor Championships, winning both the 1500 meters and 10,000 meters – which included a PR of 4:26.59 in the former that put her No. 5 on the seasonal Descending Order List.

NIAGARA REGION – Nat Sawyer – Buffalo State

Sawyer, who hails from Schenectady, New York, is the national leader in the 400-meter hurdles at 58.61, a mark that made her the third-fastest performer in NCAA DIII history. She also starred in the 100-meter hurdles, an event in which she is ranked sixth nationally at 13.87. Sawyer has collected individual titles at both the AARTFC and SUNYAC Outdoor Championships.

NORTH REGION – Fiona Smith – Saint Benedict

Smith, who hails from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, is ranked among the top-5 performers in NCAA DIII history in both the 5000 meters (No. 4, 16:05.43) and 10,000 meters (No. 3, 33:23.89). She completed a remarkable triple at the MIAC Outdoor Championships, winning the 1500 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters. Smith won the 1500-meter and 10,000-meter crowns on Day 1 before shattering the Championships record in the 5000 meters the following day at 16:19.98. 

SOUTH REGION – Annika Urban – Emory

Urban, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, holds NCAA DIII all-time top-10 efforts in both the 5000 meters (No. 5, 16:06.95) and 1500 meters (4:19.43, No. 7). She was named the UAA Track Performer of the Year after scoring 20 points at the UAA Outdoor Championships and setting the Championships record in the 1500 meters.

WEST REGION – Jasmyn Crawford – Whittier

Crawford, who hails from Bonita, California, is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season in both the 100 meters and 200 meters. She ended the regular season ranked first nationally in the 200 meters at 23.81 and second nationally in the 100 meters at 11.61. Crawford’s 200-meter PR of 23.81 has her ranked eighth all-time in NCAA DIII history.

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

EAST REGION – Lia Rotti – Tufts

Rotti, who hails from Danville, Vermont, is ranked third nationally in the triple jump at 12.35m (40-6¼) and sixth nationally in the long jump at 5.88m (19-3½). She swept the horizontal jump titles at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships. Earlier in the regular season, Rotti scored 27 points at the NESCAC Outdoor Championships in field events alone.  

GREAT LAKES REGION – Peyton Proffitt – Otterbein

Proffitt, who hails from Orient, Ohio, is the co-national leader in the pole vault at 4.06m (13-3¾). She won the pole vault at the OAC Outdoor Championships as well as the DIII All-Ohio Outdoor Championships. 

METRO REGION – Adria Retter – Swarthmore

Retter, who hails from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, is ranked first nationally in the discus at 51.06m (167-6), a mark that made her the tenth-best performer in NCAA DIII history. She is also ranked eighth nationally in the shot put at 14.32m (46-11¾). Retter scored 30 points in field events alone at the Centennial Conference Championships with three individual titles. 

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Victoria Kadiri – Johns Hopkins

Kadiri, who hails from Lynn, Massachusetts, leads the nation in both the long jump and triple jump – both with marks that rate among the top-4 in NCAA DIII history. Her PR in the long jump of 6.33m (20-9¼) has her ranked second all-time, while her best triple jump of 12.82m (42-0¾) slots her in at No. 4. Kadiri is also listed among the nation’s top-10 seasonal performers in the heptathlon with her 4635-point effort at the Bison Outdoor Classic in mid-April.

MIDEAST REGION – Allie Wildsmith – Coast Guard

Wildsmith, who hails from Bainbridge Island, Washington, is ranked second nationally in the high jump at 1.73m (5-8). She captured individual titles in the event at both the NEWMAC and New England DIII Outdoor Championships – the latter of which feature her PR clearance.

MIDWEST REGION – Grace Alley – Loras

Alley, who hails from Seneca, Illinois, leads the nation in the heptathlon with 5163 points, which rates her the No. 10 performer in NCAA DIII history. She is also ranked sixth nationally in the high jump at 1.71m (5-7¼). Alley competed in four field events at the A-R-C Outdoor Championships – high jump, javelin, long jump and triple jump – and scored 20 points total.

NIAGARA REGION – Logan Bruce – Ithaca

Bruce, who hails from Delhi, New York, is ranked third nationally in the heptathlon with 4988 points. She scored 27 points in field events at the Liberty League Outdoor Championships, highlighted by winning the long jump and a runner-up effort in the high jump.

NORTH REGION – Skye Digman – UW-La Crosse

Digman, who hails from Platteville, Wisconsin, is ranked first nationally in both the hammer (59.45m/195-1) and shot put (15.42m/50-7¼), in addition to sitting sixth in the discus. She won event titles in all three of those disciplines at the WIAC Outdoor Championships, which was only the second time in meet history that one athlete had been able to accomplish that feat. 

SOUTH REGION – Ray Ray Taylor – Eastern Mennonite

Taylor, who hails from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, is ranked fourth nationally in the heptathlon with 4824 points. She scored 23 points in field events at the ODAC Outdoor Championships.

WEST REGION – Brooke Simon – Claremont-Mudd-Scripps

Simon, who hails from San Anselmo, California, is ranked third nationally in the pole vault at 4.03m (13-2½). She won that event at the SCIAC Outdoor Championships after dazzling with a record-setting clearance of 4.00m (13-1½).

Women’s Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Kristen Morwick – Tufts

Morwick, in her 23rd year as head coach at Tufts, led the Jumbos to runner-up finishes in team competition at the NESCAC Outdoor Championships and New England DIII Outdoor Championships. Tufts also finished fourth at the NEICAAA Outdoor Championships, competing against DI and DII programs. Four of her athletes hold top-10 national rankings, including No. 1 rankings in the East Region in the high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump. 

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union

Lucas, in his 14th year as head coach at Mount Union, led the Purple Raiders to the team title at the OAC Outdoor Championships. His team won 10 events, broke three OAC records, set six school records and scored 213 points. Mount Union is ranked No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region and has 10 entries in the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships, including three ranked in the top-3.

METRO REGION – Justin Lindsey – TCNJ

Lindsey, in his 10th year as head coach at TCNJ, led the Lions to the team title at the NJAC Outdoor Championships, winning seven events. His athletes posted the Metro Region’s best marks in four events. TCNJ was the highest-placing Metro Region team in finishing fourth at the AARTFC Outdoor Championships. 

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Bobby Van Allen – Johns Hopkins

Van Allen, in his 24th year as head coach at Johns Hopkins, led the Blue Jays to the team title at the Centennial Conference Outdoor Championships with 276 points, the third highest in league history. Two of his athletes – Victoria Kadiri and Lauren Phillips – were named Outstanding Field Performer of the Meet and Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet, respectively. Johns Hopkins totaled 11 event titles in the Centennial Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Martin Beatty – Middlebury

Beatty, in his 36th year as head coach at Middlebury, led the Panthers to the team title at the NESCAC Outdoor Championships. Middlebury also tied a program high in finishing third at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships. Two of his athletes – and one relay team – broke school records during the outdoor season.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his 16th year as head coach at Loras, led the Duhawks to a No. ranking in the Midwest Region. His athletes combined for eight event titles at the Midwest Conference Outdoor Championships, seven No. 1 rankings in the region and 12 marks ranked nationally in the top-10. Six events ranked No. 1 in #EventSquad Rankings.

NIAGARA REGION – Sam Albert – Rochester (N.Y.)

Albert, in his 14th year as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Rochester (N.Y.), led the Yellowjackets to the team title at the Liberty League Outdoor Championships along with a runner-up finish in the AARTFC Outdoor Championships. His athletes combined nine event titles in the Liberty League Championships and five titles in the AARTFC Championships. Rochester has the No. 2 ranked 200 and 400 teams in the #EventSquad Rankings.

NORTH REGION – Nickolas Davis – UW-La Crosse

Davis, in his sixth year as head coach at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the WIAC Outdoor Championships, scoring a meet-record 363.5 points. His team collected numerous awards – WIAC Field Performer of the Meet (Skye Digman), WIAC Track Performer of the Meet (Emma Lawrence), WIAC Newcomer of the Year (Ainsley Hansen) and WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Ranked No. 1 in the nation, UW-La Crosse has entries in 17 of 21 events at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships.

SOUTH REGION – Jim Sprecher – Lynchburg

Sprecher, in his eighth year as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Lynchburg, led the Hornets to the team title at the ODAC Outdoor Championships, scoring a meet-record 251 points. His athletes collected 18 event titles and 30 All-ODAC honors at the ODAC Championships, and Sprecher was named ODAC Coach of the Year.

WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox

Smith, in his 16th year as Director of Track & Field at George Fox, led the Bruins to the team title at the Northwest Conference Outdoor Championships. His athletes won eight events at the Northwest Conference Championships and combined for five national qualifiers. George Fox was ranked No. 1 all spring in the West Region, and Smith was named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year.

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Brian Chabot – WPI

Chabot, in his 14th year at WPI, coached Engineer athletes to four event titles at the NEWMAC Outdoor Championships as well as two titles at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships. His 800 and 1500 squads are ranked No. 1 in the East Region and No. 7 nationally, with the steeplechase group No. 2 regionally and No. 12 nationally. His runners have five top-5 region rankings, including No. 1 in the 800. 

GREAT LAKES REGION – Tyler Neff – Mount Union

Neff, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Mount Union, coached Purple Raider sprinters to 79 of the team’s 213 points in winning the team title at the OAC Outdoor Championships. His athletes broke two OAC records, set four school records and swept the sprint events – 100, 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400 – at the OAC Championships. One of his leading athletes is Kenadee Wayt, who ranks second in the nation in the 200 and 400.

METRO REGION – Lauren Lucci – Swarthmore

Lucci, in her ninth year as assistant coach Swarthmore, coached Garnet throwers and combined event athletes to score 47 of the team’s 100.5 points in finishing third at the Centennial Conference Outdoor Championships. Her athletes swept the shot put, discus and hammer at the Centennial Championships and added a runner-place placing in the discus and third in the heptathlon. Nationally, her athletes hold the No. 1 position in the discus and No. 8 in the shot put.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Alex Jebb – Johns Hopkins

Jebb, in his eighth year as assistant coach at Johns Hopkins, coached Blue Jay jumpers and combined event athletes to score 99 points at the Centennial Conference Outdoor Championships. Among his leading athletes is Victoria Kadiri, who leads the nation in the long jump and triple jump – with her LJ best No. 2 in NCAA DIII history. He also coaches Sara Bartlett, the No. 5 triple jumper in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

MIDEAST REGION – Mary Nolte – Williams

Nolte, in her second year as assistant coach at Williams, coached Eph distance runners to NESCAC Outdoor Championship titles in the 5000, 10,000 and steeplechase. In the 1500, her runners combined for four of the top-5 positions in the Mideast Region and six in the top-9. Overall, Williams distance runners have six top-3 rankings from the 1500 to the 10,000.

MIDWEST REGION – Bob Schultz – Loras

Schultz, in his 19th year as assistant coach at Loras, coached Duhawk distance runners to score 67 of the team’s 243 points at the American Rivers Conference Outdoor Championships. His athletes rate No. 3 in the 1500 #EventSquad Rankings. His top runner, Kassie Parker, set NCAA DIII records in the 5000 and 10,000.

NIAGARA REGION – Daniel Moore – SUNY Geneseo

Moore, in his eighth year as assistant coach at SUNY Geneseo, coached Knight distance runners to score 127 points at the SUNYAC Outdoor Championships. Four of his runners combine to lead the AARTFC in four events. Seven individuals have qualified for distance events at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships.

NORTH REGION – Paul Conlin – UW-Eau Claire

Conlin, in his 27th year as assistant coach at UW-Eau Claire, coached Blugold throwers to No. 1 or No. 2 #EventSquad Rankings in three events – No. 1 in shot put and discus and No. 2 in the hammer. His athletes combined for 53 points in the WIAC Outdoor Championships, taking five places in the discus, four in the shot put and two in the hammer.

SOUTH REGION – Derek Nelson – Emory

Nelson, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Emory, coached Eagle athletes to score 68 points at the UAA Outdoor Championships, scoring multiple times in every sprint and hurdle event. A total of 11 of his athletes are ranked in the top-10 in the South Region. His 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams are ranked No. 1 regionally.

WEST REGION – Mike Wilson – George Fox

Wilson, in his fourth year as assistant coach at George Fox, coached Bruin distance runners to score 94 points at the Northwest Conference Outdoor Championships. His athletes won Northwest Conference titles in five events – 800, 1500, steeplechase, 10,000 and 4×400. Six of his runners earned All-West Region honors, and his top athlete – Ellie Rising – was named Northwest Conference Track Athlete of the Year.