NEW ORLEANS – Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2021 NAIA Indoor Track & Field season 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 men’s and women’s head coaches and assistant coaches.
The Cascade Collegiate Conference swept all eight awards for the West Region, with Eastern Oregon University leading with four honors, while College of Idaho had three. Lewis-Clark State College rounded out the CCC schools by grabbing one.
Men’s Track and Field West Region Award Winners
Men’s Track West Region Athlete of the Year – Lewis-Clark State’s Clayton VanDyke
VanDyke, a senior from Vernal, Utah, is ranked fifth nationally in the 1000 at 2:28.29. He is also ranked 12th nationally in the 800 at 1:54.55.
Men’s Field West Region Athlete of the Year – EOU’s Allexander Kosel
Kosel, a junior from Roberts, Mont., is ranked among the top-10 nationally in both the triple jump (No. 4, 14.60m/47-10¾) and long jump (No. 8, 7.16m/23-6). Both of those marks were turned in outdoors and pace the region as well.
Men’s Track & Field West Region Coach of the Year – EOU’s Ben Welch
Welch, in his 19th year at Eastern Oregon, has his Mountaineers ranked No. 22 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 1 in the West Region. The Mountaineers will be represented by six men across six different events at the NAIA Championships.
Men’s Track & Field West Region Assistant Coach of the Year – C of I’s Zach Barclay
Barclay, in his ninth year at College of Idaho, guided a throwing group that qualified three athletes who set 12 PRs. He was also instrumental in holding throwing competitions in the Northwest when few opportunities were available due to the pandemic.
Women’s Track and Field West Region Award Winners
Women’s Track West Region Athlete of the Year – EOU’s Jasmine Devers
Devers, a sophomore from Boise, Idaho, is ranked fifth nationally in the 200 at 24.62. She is also ranked 18th nationally in the 60 at 7.75.
Women’s Field West Region Athlete of the Year – C of I’s Catylynn Duff
Duff, a junior from Culver, Ore., is ranked second nationally in the weight throw at 17.73m (58-2) and ninth nationally in the shot put at 13.24m (43-5¼). She is undefeated in the weight throw this season.
Women’s Track & Field West Region Coach of the Year – C of I’s Austin Basterrechea
Basterrecha, in his 10th year at College of Idaho, has the Coyotes ranked No. 17 in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index and No. 1 in the West Region. He has guided his athletes to five top-10 nationally ranked marks and two school records.
Women’s Track & Field West Region Assistant Coach of the Year – EOU’s Rebecca Rhodes
Rhodes, in her fourth year at Eastern Oregon, coaches a multitude of events, from jumps, sprints, hurdles and combined events. She led athletes to six national-qualifying positions in just two regular-season meets.