Regional Award Winners For 2020 NCAA DIII Indoor Season

NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2020 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Each of the eight regions – Atlantic, Central, Great Lakes, Mideast, Midwest, New England, South/Southeast, West – honored both genders’ top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.

Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.

Many of these honored athletes and coaches are headed to the 2020 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

USTFCCCA Regional Awards are presented by Pro Form Sports.

Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Noah Falasco – RPI

Falasco, a senior from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is ranked first nationally in the mile at 4:08.24c (4:05.10b) and fifth nationally in the 3000 at 8:18.67f. He is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season and scored 20 points at the Liberty League Indoor Championships with victories in both of those events.

CENTRAL REGION – Matthew Wilkinson – Carleton

Wilkinson, a junior from Greenwood, Minnesota, is ranked first nationally in both the 3000 at 8:11.52f and the 5000 at 14:22.34f as well as third nationally in the mile at 4:08.55. His time in the 3000 ranks him as the ninth best performer in NCAA DIII history.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Mason Plant – Mount Union

Plant, a senior from Shreve, Ohio, is ranked first nationally in the 60 Hurdles at a converted 7.97, a time that he ran to win the 55 Hurdles (7.40) at the OAC Indoor Championships. Throughout the season, Plant clocked eight sub-8.10 marks.

MIDEAST REGION – Patrick Watson – Stevenson

Watson, a senior from Edgewater, Maryland, is ranked second nationally in the 5000 at 14:25.50f and seventh nationally in the 3000 at 8:19.30c (8:13.57c). He scored 30 points at the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships with victories in the mile, 3000 and 5000.

MIDWEST REGION – Kyler Lueck – UW-Eau Claire

Lueck, a senior from Germantown, Wisconsin, is ranked first nationally in the 800 at 1:51.63c (1:50.05 OT) and fourth nationally in the mile at 4:10.03f. He is also the anchor leg of the DMR team that is ranked third nationally.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Aidan Ryan – Williams

Ryan, a junior from New York, New York, is ranked second nationally in both the 3000 at 8:14.64c (8:08.69b) and the mile at 4:08.30c (4:05.16b). He also anchored the fastest DMR of the season that recorded the second fastest time in NCAA DIII history.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Davonta Womack – Bridgewater (Va.)

Womack, a senior from Salem, Virginia, is ranked first nationally in the 60 at 6.78. He has stood atop the South/Southeast Region in the 60 since his first race and hasn’t run slower than 6.87, a time he clocked on January 18.

WEST REGION – Tucker Cargile – Redlands

Cargile, a junior from Denver, Colorado, is ranked 10th nationally in the 800 at 1:53.43c (1:51.83b) and first regionally in the mile at 4:15.61c (4:21.89 OTA). He leads the region in the mile by 11 seconds and the 800 by two seconds.

Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Tony DeYoung – Brockport

DeYoung, a senior from Lancaster, New York, is ranked first nationally in the shot put at 17.86m (58-7¼). He scored 15 points at the SUNYAC Indoor Championships and was named Field Athlete of the Meet after winning the shot put and finishing fourth in the weight.

CENTRAL REGION – Kyle Lichttenegger- Saint Mary’s (Minn.)

Lichttenegger, a senior from De Pere, Wisconsin, is ranked first nationally in the long jump at 7.56m (24-9¾). His mark puts him as the 13th best performer in NCAA DIII history.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Josh Miller – Capital

Miller, a junior from Botkins, Ohio, is ranked fifth nationally in the shot put at 17.35m (56-11¼) and fourth regionally in the weight throw at 17.09m (56-1). He was undefeated in both throwing events this year and scored 20 points at the OAC Indoor Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Brady Smith – Penn State Behrend

Smith, a junior from Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, is ranked ninth nationally in the high jump at 2.08m (6-9¾). He posted wins in four events that he competed and led the regional all year.

MIDWEST REGION – Dylan Cooper – UW-Eau Claire

Cooper, a senior from Holmen, Wisconsin, is ranked first nationally in the heptathlon at 5441 points, a mark that tied the NCAA DIII record. He also scored 5325 points earlier in the season, which now ranks as the 13th best all-time performance.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Alec Reduker – MIT

Reduker, a senior from Newburyport, Massachusetts, is ranked first nationally in the high jump at 2.17m (7-1½), fifth nationally in the triple jump at 14.89m (48-10¼) and 13th nationally in the long jump at 7.18m (23-6¼). His mark in the high jump matched him with the ninth best performer in NCAA DIII history.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Garrett Garza – Texas Lutheran

Garza, a senior from Round Rock, Texas, is ranked third nationally in the shot put at 17.67m (57-11¾) and leads the South/Southeast Region by eight feet, four inches. He owns five of the top-11 marks turned in this season at the NCAA DIII level.

WEST REGION – Tayler Phillips – George Fox

Phillips, a sophomore from Grants Pass, Oregon, is ranked 11th nationally in the heptathlon with 4944 points and first regionally in the high jump at 1.97m (6-5½). He is just 56 points from becoming the 37th man in NCAA DIII history to eclipse 5000 points in the multi.

Men’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Ed Jaskulski – Brockport

Jaskulski, in his fifth year at Brockport, led the Golden Eagles to a third-place finish in the SUNYAC with four event winners. The throwing eventers, whom he directly tutors, accounted for 46 points in just two events. Brockport has three entries in the NCAA DIvision III Championships, including the top-ranked shot putter in Tony DeYoung, and are rated No. 5 in the Atlantic Region.

CENTRAL REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his seventh year at Loras, led the Duhawks to the American Rivers Conference team title with 10 event winners that included the both meet MVPs. Loras, which will have nine entries in the NCAA Division III Championships, is rated No. 2 in the nation.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Kevin Lucas – Mount Union

Lucas, in his 10th year at Mount Union, guided the Purple Raiders to the OAC team title with five event winners. Mount Union, which also won the All-Ohio Championship, will have eight entries in the NCAA Division III Championships. UMU is rated No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region.

MIDEAST REGION – Bobby Van Allen – Johns Hopkins

Van Allen, in his 20th year at Johns Hopkins, mentored the Blue Jays to win the Centennial Conference by 73.5 points as they collected nine event victories. JHU, which will have five entries in the NCAA Division III Championships, is rated No. 1 in the Mideast Region.

MIDWEST REGION – Chip Schneider – UW-Eau Claire

Schneider, in his 18th year at UW-Eau Claire, led the Blugolds to a third-place finish in the WIAC with five event winners. One of his athletes – Dylan Cooper – tied the DIII national record earlier this year in the heptathlon. Eau Claire is rated No. 1 in the nation and will have 11 entries in the NCAA Division III Championships, tied for fourth most.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Halston Taylor – MIT

Taylor, in his 38th year at MIT, guided the Engineers to a 67-point victory in the New England DIII Championships with seven event winners. MIT, which has 11 entries in the NCAA Division III Championships (tied for fourth most), is rated No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in the New England Region.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Brandon Uhl – Washington and Lee

Uhl, in his ninth year at Washington and Lee, led the Generals to the ODAC team title with four event winners and scoring in all but one event. Triple event winner Joe O’Connor set a school record in the pole vault and will be the team’s lone entrant in the NCAA Division III Championships. W&L is rated No. 3 in the South/Southeast Region.

WEST REGION – Mike Schmidt – Redlands

Schmidt, in his 13th year at Redlands, coached the Bulldogs to a No. 2 rating in the West Region. Tucker Cargile, ranked second in the 800, is the lone entrant for Redlands in the NCAA Division III Championships.

Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – John Lynch – RPI

Lynch, in his ninth year coaching the distances, has three athletes entered in the NCAA Division III Championships. RPI is led by Noah Falasco, ranked No. 1 in the mile and the Liberty League Runner of the Meet. Lynch’s 5000-meter squad is rated No. 3 in the nation.

CENTRAL REGION – Joe Vardas- Saint John’s (Minn.)

Vardas, in his 22nd year mentoring the jumps and hurdles, coaches the No. 1-ranked high jumper in the region, as the team high jump event squad is rated No. 5 in the nation. He also has the top two triple jumpers in the region.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Chad Palmer – Mount Union

Palmer, in his seventh year coaching the sprints and hurdles, had the nation’s best hurdle squad, led by national leader Mason Plant in 7.97. Following closely for the Purple Raiders is Connor Troyer, tied for third-fastest at 8.02. The hurdles group, which also includes Carson Troyer, accounted for 20 points at the OAC Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Josh Colley- Penn State Behrend

Colley, in his second year coaching the sprints, jumps and strength events, designed the lifting program for all three of the Behrend Lions’ entrants in the NCAA Division III Championships. High jumper Brady Smith and pole vaulters Nick Lachut and Jack Georgetson combined to break two school records.

MIDWEST REGION – Sarah Glidden – UW-Eau Claire

Glidden, in her second year guiding the combined events, coached the nation’s top-ranked heptathlon squad, all of whom scored over 5150 points. The Blugolds – who scored 27 points at the WIAC in the heptathlon alone – were led by Dylan Cooper, who equalled the DIII national record of 5441.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Derek Rousseau – MIT

Rousseau, in his third year mentoring the jumps, easily has the best horizontal jumps squad in the country, and coached athletes who accounted for 68 points in the New England DIII Championships. The Engineers have the nation’s leading high jumper in Alec Reduker and regionally have the top two in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Shane Stevens – Bridgewater (Va.)

Stevens, in his 34th year coaching the sprints, hurdles and relays, had athletes combine for 52 points at the ODAC Championships. His athletes lead the South/Southeast Region in two events, with Davonta Womack topping the nation in the 60 meters.

WEST REGION – Dominic Lopez – Redlands

Lopez, in his fifth year coaching the middle distances at Redlands, saw his prized pupil Tucker Cargile qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 800 as the lone entrant for the Bulldogs. Cargile is ranked 10th nationally in the event.

Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Parley Hannan – Ithaca

Hannan, a senior from Orlean, Virginia, is ranked first nationally in three different individual events (mile, 3000, 5000) and one relay (DMR). She is the NCAA DIII record holder with her time in the 5000 of 16:05.36, is ranked 10th all-time with her time in the 3000 of 9:36.23 and is listed 24th all-time in the mile with her time of 4:43.38.

CENTRAL REGION – Gabby Noland – Loras

Noland, a senior from Rockford, Illinois, is a national leader in two different individual events (60 – 7.55, 400 – 56.35) as well as one relay (4×400) and sits second nationally in another (200 – 24.50). She scored 28 points at the A-R-C Indoor Championships behind two individual titles in the 55 and 400 and a runner-up finish in the 200.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Evie Bultemeyer – Trine

Bultemeyer, a junior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is ranked first nationally in the mile at 4:56.18c (4:53.27 OT) and fourth nationally in the 800 at 2:12.69c (2:11.18 OT). She is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season and scored 32.5 points at the MIAA Indoor Championships thanks to three individual titles and being the anchor of a winning relay.

MIDEAST REGION – Esther Seeland – Messiah

Seeland, a sophomore from State College, Pennsylvania, is ranked first second nationally in the 800 at 2:11.53c (2:10.03b) and 11th nationally in the mile at 4:59.91f. She scored 30.5 points at the MAC Indoor Championships with individual victories in the 800 and mile, a relay title in the 4×800, a runner-up finish in the DMR and a third-place effort in the 400.

MIDWEST REGION – Favor Ezewuzie – Wheaton (Ill.)

Ezewuzie, a senior from Malden, Massachusetts, is ranked first nationally in the 60 Hurdles at 8.60, second nationally in the 60 at 7.57 and third nationally in the 200 at 24.95. As a hurdler, she has posted the top-3 fastest times this season and is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition in that event, as well as in the 60 and 200.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Sydney Packard – WPI

Packard, a senior from Georgetown, Massachusetts, is ranked first nationally in the 800 at 2:08.00c (2:06.54b), seventh nationally in the mile at 4:58.15 and a member of the fourth fastest DMR team this season. Her unconverted time in the 800 of 2:06.54 is the second fastest ever run in NCAA DIII history on a legal track and her seasonal best in the 1000 of 2:52.70 tops the all-time chart.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Calista Ariel – Bridgewater (Va.)

Ariel, a senior from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is ranked 12th nationally in the 3000 at 9:56.13 and third regionally in the 5000 at 17:56.79. She scored 18 points at the ODAC Indoor Championships thanks to a victory in the 3000 and a runner-up finish in the 5000.

WEST REGION – Jessica Fields – Redlands

Fields, a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, is ranked third nationally in the 60 Hurdles at 8.75c (8.71A). She finished no worse than fifth in any meet in which she competed this season.

Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Emily Lavarnway – SUNY Geneseo

Lavarnway, a junior from South Seneca, New York, is ranked second nationally in the pentathlon with 3648 points and 19th nationally in the long jump at 5.62m (18-5¼). She finished runner-up in the long jump at both the SUNYAC Indoor Championships and the AARTFC Indoor Championships.

CENTRAL REGION – Dayton Dolincheck – Nebraska Wesleyan

Dolincheck, a senior from Bellevue, Nebraska, is ranked second nationally in the shot put at 14.40m (47-3). She is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season and won the event title at the A-R-C Indoor Championships.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Anna Schoster – Mount St. Joseph

Schoster, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, is ranked first nationally in the pole vault at 4.02m (13-2¼). She is undefeated against NCAA DIII competition this season.

MIDEAST REGION – Nicole Weenink – Eastern (Pa.)

Weenink, a senior from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is ranked second nationally in the triple jump at 12.11m (39-8¾) and fifth nationally in the long jump at 5.80m (19-0½). She scored 20 points at the MAC Indoor Championships as she swept the horizontal jumps and established meet records in each event.

MIDWEST REGION – Isabel Maletich – Chicago

Maletich, a sophomore from Woodbridge, Illinois, is ranked first nationally in both the triple jump at 12.58m (41-3¼) and the long jump at 5.93m (19-5½). Her mark in the triple jump made her the fifth best performer in NCAA DIII history.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Emma Egan – Williams

Egan, a senior from Yarmouth, Maine, is ranked second nationally in the high jump at 1.76m (5-9¼) and third nationally in the pentathlon at 3599 points. She scored 16 points at the DIII New England Indoor Championships thanks to a victory in the high jump and a third-place effort in the long jump.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Laura Sheckter – Emory

Scheckter, a junior from Manhattan Beach, California, is ranked ninth nationally in the shot put at 13.91m (45-7¾). She scored 15 points at the UAA Indoor Championships with a victory in the shot put and a fourth-place effort in the weight throw.

WEST REGION – Chyenne Kimble – Redlands

Kimble, a senior from Big Bear Lake, California, is ranked ninth nationally in the pentathlon at 3432 points. She established a PR in the high jump of 1.61m (5-3¼) during that multi.

Women’s Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Jennifer Potter – Ithaca

Potter, in her 17th year at Ithaca, led the Bombers to team titles in the Liberty League with nine event winners. Ithaca, which also won the AARTFC, has 11 entries in the NCAA Division III Championships and is rated No. 2 in the nation, along with No. 1 in the Atlantic Region.

CENTRAL REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his seventh year at Loras, guided the Duhawks to the American Rivers Conference team title with eight event winners. Loras, which is rated No. 4 nationally and No. 2 in the Central Region, has nine entries in the NCAA Division III Championships.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Paris Hilliard – Wittenberg

Hilliard, in his fifth year at Wittenberg, mentored the Tigers to a third place team finish at the NCAC Indoor Championships with five event winners and 129 points, the most in school history. Wittenberg athletes swept the NCAC field, sprints and distance Athlete of the Year awards, the first sweep in meet history. WU, which is rated No. 7 in the Great Lakes Region, has three entries in the NCAA Division III Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Jason Falvo – Eastern (Pa.)

Falvo, in his first year at Eastern, led the Eagles to its first-ever MAC team title with three event winners and 144.5 points. Eastern athletes set new program records in 14 of 19 events and is rated No. 4 in the Mideast Region with three entries in the NCAA Division III Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Nickolas Davis – UW-La Crosse

Davis, in his third year at UW-La Crosse, guided the Eagles to the WIAC team title by more than 100 points in collecting staff, track athlete and field athlete of the meet honors. La Crosse is rated No. 1 in the nation and has 13 entries in the NCAA Division III Championships, tied for second most.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Nate Hoey – Williams

Williams, in his seventh year at Williams, guided the Ephs to a 159-point team victory at the New England DIII Championships with five event winners. Williams has 14 entries in the NCAA Division III Championships – most of any team – and is rated No. 1 in the New England Region.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory

Nguyen, in his first year at Emory, led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the UAA Championships with two event winners. Emory, which has three entries in the NCAA Division III Championships, is rated No. 1 in the South/Southeast Region and has top-ranked squad in the 60, 200, pole vault and shot put along with top times in the 4 x 400 and distance medley relays.

WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox

Smith, in his 13th year at George Fox, coached the Bruins to the No. 1 rating in the West Region.  GFU has the No. 4-rated 60-meter squad in the nation, led by its lone qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championships in Kennedy Taube.

Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

ATLANTIC REGION – Erin Dinan-Frahm – Ithaca

Dinan-Frahm, in her ninth year coaching the distances, is the mentor of Parley Hannan – the nation’s top-ranked runner in the mile, 3000 and 5000. The Bombers, who are also ranked No. 1 in the distance medley relay, have national event squad ratings of No. 4 in the mile and No. 5 in the 800.

CENTRAL REGION – Luke Kopnick – St. Thomas (Minn.)

Kopnick, in his second year guiding the middle distances and distances at St. Thomas, had athletes account for 74 of the Tommies’ 171 points that won the MIAC team title.  Three of his athletes qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships, led Carly Scheuerman and Morgan Dammann, who are ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 800.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Jake Alexander – John Carroll

Alexander, in his sixth year tutoring the sprints, jumps and hurdles, had athletes win four events and score 98 of the Blue Streaks’ 136 points as the team finished third in the OAC. Three of his athletes have top marks in the Great Lakes Region, and four athletes combine for five entries in the NCAA Division III Championships.

MIDEAST REGION – Maura Knestout – Johns Hopkins

Knestout, in her third year coaching the distances, has the Blue Jays’ 3000 and 5000 squads rated No. 1 in the nation, with the mile at No. 2. JHU has seven runners entered in the NCAA Division III Championships, led by Ariel Keklak (ranked second in the mile) and Felicia Koerner and Rebecca Grusby (ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the 3000).

MIDWEST REGION – Justin McQuality – Chicago

McQuality, in his second year guiding the jumps, coaches the No. 1-rated long jump squad in the nation, along with the No. 2 pole vault unit. His three athletes entered in the NCAA Division III Championships are led by Isabel Maletich, who leads the nation in the long jump and triple jump, the latter at No. 5 all-time at 12.58m (41-3¼). Also leading the country is pentathlete Laura Darcey (No. 3 all-time at 3794), who is also ranked third in the high jump.

NEW ENGLAND REGION – Troy Irvine – Colby

Irvine, in his first year mentoring the jumps and combined events, has the nation’s leading high jumper in Sharde Johnson, who is =No. 8 all-time at 1.78m (5-10). The White Mules’ triple jump squad is rated No. 6 in the country.

SOUTH/SOUTHEAST REGION – Brian Cunningham – Bridgewater (Va.)

Cunningham, in his second year coaching the distances, had runners take the top two places in the 3000 and 5000 at the ODAC Championships and setting school records in the process. Those athletes – Calista Ariel (3000) and English Jackson (5000) – are entered in the NCAA Division III Championships.

WEST REGION – Gabe Haberly – George Fox

Haberly, in his eighth year guiding the sprints and pole vault, coaches the only Bruin qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships in Kennedy Taube. Taube is tied for fifth in the nation in the 60 meters, a squad that is rated No. 4 in the country.