2015 USTFCCCA Region Athletes of the Year

NEW ORLEANS -- For the second consecutive season, Jordan Edwards has earned the title of NCAA Division II West Region Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year as selected by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The award was announced Monday in a leadup to the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships this week.

"It's a blessing to be able to receive these kinds of awards," said Edwards. "It is a little reminder to keep my head on straight and to keep on the path that I am on. This is only a taste of what I'm really here for, and that's more national titles."

Each of the regions, which are the same as those used during the Division II cross country season, honored both genders' top track athletes and field athletes and the top men's and women's head coaches and assistant coaches. Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches.

In his final indoor season competing for the Urban Knights, Edwards qualified for Nationals in the 200m, 400m, 4×400m relay, and distance medley relay. On Feb. 24 at the Husky Classic, the Denver, Colorado native ran 46.64 in the 400m for Division II's fastest time of the year and a program record. In the 200m, his mark of 21.54 was a new program record as well, came at the UAB Vulcan Invitational on Jan. 23, and ranks 13th in the country. He joined with Roman Skovronski, James Steptoe, and Shaquille Howard for a program best 3:13.91 (12th in DII) at the Nebraska Tune-Up on Feb. 20 and, finally, he was part of a quartet with Mack Marbas, Austin Murray, and Valentin Pepiot who ran ART U's best distance medley relay time to date (9:56.38) one day prior to his 400m feat at the Husky Classic. He will contest both the 200 and 400 meter events as well as the 4x400m relay at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.

Many of the honored athletes and coaches will be in competition at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships set for next weekend, March 13-14, in Birmingham, Alabama at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The meet can be streamed online live at NCAA.org, and more information can be found at the USTFCCCA's National Championships Central page.