NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2017 NCAA Division II Cross Country season were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as voted on by member coaches from that division. Tiffin's James Ngandu was named Men's Athlete of the Year in the region, while Grand Valley State head coach Jerry Baltes captured Women's Coach of the Year honors.
The 2017 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships will be held November 18 in Evansville, Indiana.
MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MIDWEST REGION: JAMES NGANDU, TIFFIN
Ngandu, a senior from Nakuru, Kenya, was undefeated on the season, winning the GLIAC Championship and the Midwest Region title. He won both races by more than 10 seconds each. This is the second year in a row that Ngandu has been named Men’s Athlete of the Year in the Midwest Region.
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
MIDWEST REGION: JERRY BALTES, GRAND VALLEY STATE
Baltes, in his 19th year at Grand Valley State, led his team to the Midwest Region title. The Lakers captured the crown with 46 points. Baltes also guided his squad to the team title at the GLIAC Championships.
