USTFCCCA ::: Division II Names the Top Coaches of the 2012 Outdoor Season

Jun 1, 2012 by FloTrack Staff

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Division II Names the Top Coaches of the 2012 Outdoor Season

June 1, 2012

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Friday the National Coaches and Assistant Coaches of the Year for NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field. Adams State’s Damon Martin and Grand Valley State’s Jerry Baltes was named National Men’s and Women’s Coaches of the Year, respectively. In addition, Western State’s Jennifer Michel and Grand Valley State’s Lou Andreadis were tapped as the organization’s top assistants of the year.

NATIONAL MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR: Damon Martin, Adams State

In his 17th year at Adams State, Martin led the Grizzlies to their first NCAA outdoor track & field team title as they topped Lincoln (Mo.) by four points, 77-73. Freshman Boris Berian won the 800 meters while senior Andrew Graham took top honors in the 1500 meters. ASC had 14 scorers and 15 entries at the national meet. In addition, the Grizzlies won the RMAC title this spring.

Past Winners:

2012: Damon Martin, Adams State

2011: Roosevelt Lofton, Abilene Christian

2010: George Williams, Saint Augustine’s

2009: Damon Martin, Adams State

2008: Don D. Hood, Abilene Christian

2007: Damon Martin, Adams State

NATIONAL WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR: Jerry Baltes, Grand Valley State

Baltes, in his 13th year at GVSU, led the Lakers to their second-straight NCAA outdoor title, scoring 90 team points to hold off runner-up Lincoln (Mo.) who had 79. Rachel Patterson won the 10,000 meters, Betsy Graney was the winner of the steeplechase, Kristen Hixson again won the pole vault, and Liz Murphy took top honors in the hammer throw. GVSU had 13 scorers in the national meet and a meet-high 20 entries. The Lakers also took the GLIAC crown this season.

Past Winners:

2012: Jerry Baltes, Grand Valley State

2011: Jerry Baltes, Grand Valley State

2010: James Reid, Angelo State

2009: James Reid, Angelo State

2008: Lucky Huber, South Dakota

2007: Jerry Baltes, Grand Valley State

NATIONAL MEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Jennifer Michel, Western State

In Division II, awards for assistant coach of the year are judged based on both indoor and outdoor seasons.

In her fifth year as distance coach at Western State, Michel placed nine entries into the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Tyler Pennel won the 10,000 meters and Ryan Haebe took the steeplechase. In addition, Western State went 2-4-6 in the 5000 meters, 1-3 in the 10,000 meters, and 1-5 in the steeplechase as part of a 46-point carry at the national outdoor meet. WSC placed in a tie for third at the NCAA outdoor meet with 54 points.

Indoors, Western State scored six points in distance events at the national championships.

In the fall, Michel was named the USTFCCCA Cross Country Coach of the Year as she led the Mountaineers to their first national team cross country crown since 2005.

Past Winners:

2012: Jennifer Michel, Western State

2011: Joe Lynn, Grand Valley State

2010: Joe Lynn, Grand Valley State

2009: Gary Towne, Chico State

2008: Gary Towne, Chico State

2007: T.J. Crater, Central Washington

NATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSISTANT COACH OF THE YEAR: Lou Andreadis, Grand Valley State

In Division II, awards for assistant coach of the year are judged based on both indoor and outdoor seasons.

The ninth-year pole vault coach at GVSU helped the Lakers to an indoor and outdoor sweep of NCAA team titles. Indoors, Andreadis’ vaulters finished first and third at the national championships as sophomore Kristen Hixson took the title. Outdoors, GVSU took first and second in the vault at the national meet as again Hixson won the NCAA crown with a meet-record clearance of 13-7Â¼ (4.15m).

Past Winners:

2012: Lou Andreadis, Grand Valley State

2011: Cory Young, Grand Valley State

2010: Tom Dibbern, Angelo State

2009: Tom Dibbern, Angelo State

2008: Ben Beyers, SIU Edwardsville

2007: Bob Raemore, Indiana (Pa.)

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Tom Lewis

U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

Communications Manager

1100 Poydras St., Suite 1750