NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NCAA DII Cross Country season were on Wednesday.
The Lee University women’s cross country team claimed both Women’s South Region awards with Aria Hawkins earning South Region Women’s Athlete of the Year and Lee University Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Caleb Morgan being named the South Region Women’s Coach of the Year.
Hawkins won the individual title at the South Region Championships in 20:34.69. Her time was nearly six seconds faster than her nearest competitor. Two weeks earlier, Hawkins had also captured top individual honors at the GSC Championships.
Morgan led the Lady Flames to the team title at the South Region Championships with 28 points, 37 points fewer than the region runner-up. Lee also won the team title at the GSC Championships with 21 points.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
