2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Regional Awards – U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

NEW ORLEANS Regional Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Fieldseason were announced on Friday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Each of the five regions Great Lakes, Midwest, South, South Central and West honored both genders top track athletes and field athletes as well as the top mens and womens head coaches and assistant coaches.

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

GREAT LAKES REGION Luke Pohl Cornerstone (Mich.)

Pohl, who hails from Plymouth, Michigan, sits atop the NAIAs 10,000-meter rankings at 29:57.66. He is also ranked ninth nationally in the 5000 meters at 14:29.64.

MIDWEST REGION Payton Mauldin Dordt (Iowa)

Mauldin, who hails from George, Iowa, enters the NAIA Outdoor Championships as the top-ranked athlete in the 800 meters at 1:49.07. He scored 22.5 points at the GPAC Outdoor Championships thanks to victories in the 400 meters and 800 meters, as well as being part of the winning 4400 relay, and was named the GPAC Mens Outdoor Track Athlete of the Meet.

SOUTH REGION Saminu Abdul-Rasheed Florida Memorial

Abdul-Rasheed, who hails from Nanumba, South Ghana, reigns as the NAIAs top 100-meter runner with a remarkable time of 9.97, which puts him among the fastest athletes in NAIA history. He ranks second in the NAIA in the 200m with a time of 20.50. Abdul-Rasheed emerged victorious in both the 100m and 200m at the Sun Conference Outdoor Championships.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Jaylan Washington Ottawa (Kan.)

Washington, who hails from Ottawa, Kansas, is ranked third nationally in the 100 meters at 10.21. He clocked six sub-10.50 performances this season in the 100, including his PR to win the event title at the KCAC Outdoor Championships. Washington also won the 200 meters at the conference championships and anchored the winning 4100 relay.

WEST REGION Davis Boggess The Masters (Calif.)

Boggess, who hails from Flagstaff, is the national leader in the 5000 meters at 13:54.68. That also puts him among the top-10 athletes in NAIA history. He is also ranked among the top-5 athletes on the seasonal Descending Order List in the 1500 meters with his PR 3:47.86. Boggess scored 30.5 points at the GPAC Outdoor Championships and was named the Male Track Top Point MVP for his efforts.

GREAT LAKES REGION Noah Thomas Pikeville (Ky.)

Thomas, who hails from Ashland, Kentucky, scored 28 points in field events at the Mid-South Outdoor Championships. He won the hammer with a PR 55.71m (182-10), finished runner-up in the javelin, took third in the discus and placed fifth in the shot put.

MIDWEST REGION Dylan Kucera Midland (Neb.)

Kucera, who hails from Fremont, Nebraska, continued his dominance in the shot put. He had the 29 farthest throws in the NAIA this season with 17 of them traveling more than 18.28m (60-0). Kucera set seasonal bests in both the shot put (19.47m/63-10) and hammer (64.15m/210-6) in winning efforts at the GPAC Outdoor Championships.

SOUTH REGION David Friedberg Reinhardt (Ga.)

Friedberg, who hails from Ellabell, GA, leads the nation in the javelin with a heave of 71.23m (233-9). He had eight of the farthest throws in the NAIA this season.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Vance Shewey Tabor (Kan.)

Shewey, who hails from Meade, Kansas, is currently ranked third nationally in the high jump at 2.09m (6-10). He is also ranked among the top-20 athletes on the NAIA Descending Order List in the long jump with his best of 7.28m (23-10).

WEST REGION Rowan Hamilton British Columbia

Hamilton, who hails from Chilliwack, British Columbia, is ranked first collegiately in the hammer with a heave of 75.77m (248-7). He leads the NAIA in the event by more than 34 feet.

GREAT LAKES REGION Michael Holman Marian (Ind.)

Holman, in his 10th year as the Director of Track & Field at Marian (Ind.), led the Knights to a No. 5 ranking nationally in addition to a Crossroads League team title. His team achieved top-10 national rankings in seven events, topped by No. 2 showings in the shot put and discus. Marian also was rated No. 3 in the 4800 relay and No. 6 in the steeplechase.

MIDWEST REGION Craig Heynen Dordt (Iowa)

Heynen, in his 15th year as head coach at Dordt (Iowa), led the Defenders to the GPAC team title with seven individual titles and one relay victory. His rated No. 4 nationally overall and had top-10 national event rankings in five events. He was named the GPAC Outdoor Coach of the Year.

SOUTH REGION Nick Dodson Southeastern (Fla.)

Dodson, in his fifth year as Director of Track & Field at Southeastern (Fla.), led the Fire to the Sun Conference title with a record-breaking 313 points. His athletes topped the national #EventSquad Rankings in four events with two others in the top-6. His athletes rated No. 1 in the 400 and 110 hurdles, while overall combining to set 11 school records. He was named the Sun Conference Coach of the Year.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Alstin Benton Saint Mary (Kan.)

Benton, in his 10th year as head coach at Saint Mary (Kan.), guided the Spires to the KCAC Championships team title with 202 points. They won eight events at the KCAC Championships and season-long had seven top-20 rankings.

WEST REGION Zachary Schroeder The Masters (Calif.)

Schroeder, in his 17th year as head coach at The Masters (Calif.), led the Mustangs to GSAC team title, collecting nine event crowns. His team had strong showings in the distance events, especially in the 5000 with four of the top-13 nationally in earning No. 1 #EventSquad Ranking. Ten of his 1500-meter runners combined to produce 28 sub-4 performances. He was named GSAC Coach of the Year.

GREAT LAKES REGION Nathan Dyer Marian (Ind.)

Dyer, in his third year as assistant coach at Marian (Ind.), guided the Knights throwing group to dominance. His troops combined for 67 points in the Crossroads League Championships and three individual titles. Overall, his camp collected five marks rated top-7 nationally, with two in the top-2.

MIDWEST REGION Nate Wolf Dordt (Iowa)

Wolf, in his eighth year as assistant coach at Dordt (Iowa), played a significant role in the teams success at the GPAC Outdoor Championship. He led the distance crew to remarkable performances, with three members capturing conference titles in the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m events. Wolfs coaching expertise was evident as two distance events, the 5000m and the steeplechase, ranked fifth in the #EventSquad Rankings.

SOUTH REGION Josh White Reinhardt (Ga.)

White, in his second year as assistant coach at Reinhardt (Ga.), made significant contributions to the teams success in the throwing events. He guided the shot put, discus, hammer throw, and javelin athletes to remarkable performances. In the shot put, Whites coaching led to a third-place ranking in the South Regional Rankings and a national ranking of 22nd. He also coached the top-ranked javelin thrower in the NAIA.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Shaquelle Lewis Kansas Wesleyan

Lewis, in his fourth year as assistant coach at Kansas Wesleyan, played a crucial role in the teams performance in the throwing events. The throwers under Lewis guidance made significant contributions, scoring 71 points at the KCAC Championships. He coached two athletes who qualified for the NAIA National Championships, with one ranking 15th in shot put and the other 16th in javelin at the national level.

WEST REGION Johnny Deryeghiayan Vanguard (Calif.)

Deryeghiayan, in his fourth year as Associate Head Coach at Vanguard (Calif.), guided the Lions sprinters to GSAC titles in the 100 and 4100 relay. Chase Mars, his top pupil, brokes the school record in the 100 (10.45) and also qualified for the NAIA nationals in the 200.

GREAT LAKES REGION Addy Wiley Huntington (Ind.)

Wiley, who hails from Huntington, Indiana, set an NAIA record in the 1500 meters of 4:12.53 to finish fourth at the Drake Relays. Additionally, Wiley emerged victorious in the 800 meters at the Crossroads League Championships with the seventh-fastest time in NAIA history of 2:05.18.

MIDWEST REGION Hannah Antkoviak Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)

Antkoviak, who hails from Allegan, Michigan, shattered the NAIA record in the 400-meter hurdles with her 56.97 effort at the Drake Relays. In addition to her dominance in the 400H, Antkoviak is also ranked fourth nationally in the 100-meter hurdles.

SOUTH REGION Praise Idamadudu Cumberland (Tenn.)

Idamadudu, who hails from Nigeria, is the national leader in both the 200 meters (23.58) and 400 meters (53.65). She is also ranked second nationally in the 100 meters (11.54). Idamadudu scored 32.25 track points at the Mid-South Conference Outdoor Championships and was named the Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION JayOnna Perry Ottawa (Kan.)

Perry, who hails from Ottawa, Kansas, scored 23 individual track points at the KCAC Outdoor Championships and led her team to a runner-up finish its highest placement in 40 years. She won the 400-meter hurdles (an event in which she is ranked fourth nationally at 1:01.25), placed second in the 400 meters and was fifth in the 100-meter hurdles.

WEST REGION Eryn Burke Vanguard (Calif.)

Burke, who hails from Yucaipa, California, is ranked fourth nationally in the 400 meters at 54.89. She won conference titles in both the 200 meters and 400 meters.

GREAT LAKES REGION Princess Kara Indiana Wesleyan

Kara, who hails from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is the national leader in the discus at 55.31m (181-6) and sits fifth nationally in the shot put at 14.14m (46-4). She recorded both of those marks in winning efforts at the GPAC Outdoor Championships.

MIDWEST REGION Kaitlyn McColly Dickinson State (N.D.)

McColly, who hails from Hinsdale, Montana, is ranked first nationally in the heptathlon with 4862 points. She scored 26 points in field events at the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Outdoor Championships to help Dickinson State break the conference record for points with 300.5. In addition to the top-ranked heptathlon nationally, McColly sits atop the regional leaderboard in three other field events.

SOUTH REGION Paige Manney Tennessee Wesleyan

Manney, who hails from Athens, Tennessee, is ranked first nationally in the triple jump at 12.58m (41-3) and second in the high jump at 1.73m (5-8). She scored 28 points in field events at the AAC Outdoor Championships, winning the high jump and triple jump and finishing runner-up in the long jump.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Laurel Barber Ottawa (Kan.)

Barber, who hails from Alma, Kansas, tops the NAIA in the javelin with a heave of 48.81m (160-2). She scored 18 points at the KCAC Outdoor Championships by winning the javelin and finishing runner-up in the shot put.

WEST REGION Maggie Ledbetter Eastern Oregon

Ledbetter, who hails from Cove, Oregon, is ranked first nationally in the shot put at 14.87m (48-9). She is also ranked seventh nationally in the hammer at 53.65m (176-0).

GREAT LAKES REGION Doug Edgar Indiana Tech

Edgar, in his 12th year as head coach at Indiana Tech, guided the Warriors to the WHAC Championship, showcasing their talent across various events. The collected six-top-5 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by being No. 1 in the 400. His athletes combined for nine event titles in WHAC Championships.

MIDWEST REGION Matt Beisel Concordia (Neb.)

Beisel, in his seventh year as head coach at Concordia (Neb.), led the Bulldogs to the team title at the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships, accumulating 244.5 team points and capturing seven event titles. His including GPAC Womens Athlete of the Year Adrianna Rodencal collected 15 A standards heading into the national meet and also ranked No. 8 nationally.

SOUTH REGION Ryan Mckenzie William Carey (Miss.)

McKenzie, in his first year as head coach at William Carey (Miss.), led the Crusaders to the team title at the SSAC Outdoor Championships. His athletes won nine events at the SSAC Championships in ranking No. 2 in the nation. Three of his event groups were No. 1 in the national #EventSquad Rankings 100, long jump and triple jump.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Kenny Anderson Central Methodist (Mo.)

Anderson, in his third year as the Director of Track & Field at Central Methodist (Mo.), led the Eagles to the team title of the Heart of America Outdoor Conference Championships, scoring 179 points. Anderson was named the Heart of America Outdoor Coach of the Year as his squad broke six school records and one conference record. Highest among his nationally ranked athletes is Gizel Clayton at No. 2 in the 100 hurdles.

WEST REGION Bryan Wilkins Vanguard (Calif.)

Wilkins, in his 35th year as head coach at Vanguard (Calif.), led the Lions to the team title at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships, scoring a school-record 266 points and winning by 86 points. Seven school records were broken during the year, and 10 of his athletes qualified for the NAIA National Championships, led by Eryn Burke in the 400 (No. 4) and Jordyn Burke in the 400 hurdles (No.6).

GREAT LAKES REGION Devyn Mikell Marian (Ind.)

Mikell, in his fifth year as assistant coach at Marian (Ind.), saw his athletes score 56 points at the Crossroads League Outdoor Championships. Four of his athletes qualified in five events for the upcoming NAIA Outdoor Championships. Mikell oversees the following #EventSquad event groups: No. 2 triple jump, No. 2 high jump and No. 4 long jump.

MIDWEST REGION Zontavius Johnson Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)

Johnson, in his first year as an assistant coach at Olivet Nazarene, coached Hannah Antkoviak to the NAIA record in the 400-meter hurdles, as well as a top-5 seasonal effort in the 100-meter hurdles. Johnsons athletes scored 103 points at the CCAC Outdoor Championships.

SOUTH REGION Malcolm Dias William Carey (Miss.)

Dias, in his seventh year as assistant coach at William Carey (Miss.), helped the Crusaders to the team title at the SSAC Outdoor Championships, as his athletes won nine events. He has coached Salieci Myles and Joy Abu to strong marks in the 100-meter hurdles: Myles clocked a wind-legal 13.31 at the SSAC Outdoor Championships that is among the fastest in NAIA history.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Darvis Doc Patton Texas Wesleyan

Patton, in his first year as assistant coach at Texas Wesleyan, oversaw a dynamic performance at the Sooner Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships. His athletes won the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400-meter hurdles, long jump, and both relays. Pattons charges qualified for the upcoming NAIA Outdoor Championships in the 100, 200 and 4100 relay.

WEST REGION Johnny Deryeghiayan Vanguard (Calif.)

Deryeghiayan, in his fourth year as an associate head coach at Vanguard, guided athletes to a clean sweep of the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters at the Golden State Conference Outdoor Championships. Not only that, but the Lions also won the 4100 and 4400 relays. His prized pupil, Eryn Burke, is ranked fourth nationally in the 400 meters.

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2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Regional Awards - U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association