NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Tuesday, May 28 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Each region honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year – Alex Phillip – John Carroll
Phillip, a freshman from Akron, Ohio, is ranked second nationally in the 10,000 (29:30.12) and fourth nationally in the 5000 (14:17.67). He completed the 5000-10,000 sweep at the OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and broke conference records in each event on back-to-back days.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Year – Courtney Phoennik – John Carroll
Phoennik, a junior from McDonald, Pennsylvania, is ranked first nationally in the triple jump at 12.33m (40-5½). She competed in four field events at the OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, winning the triple jump and placing fifth in the high jump.
Men’s Coach of the Year – Kyle Basista – John Carroll
Basista, in his seventh year at John Carroll, led the Blue Streaks to a runner-up finish at the OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and a top-6 ranking in the National TFRI all season long. Not only did John Carroll score a program-record 187 points at the OAC Championships, it also notched a program-record number of entries to the NCAA Championships with 11.
Women’s Coach of the Year – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union
Lucas, in his 12th year at Mount Union, led the Purple Raiders to the team title at the OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Ranked No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region TFRI and among the top-15 teams in the National TFRI, Mount Union has 10 entries in the NCAA Championships.
Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year – Tyler Neff – Mount Union
Neff, in his third year at Mount Union, guided the sprinters to 118 points as the Purple Raiders won the team title at OAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Mount Union leads the Great Lakes Region in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.
