Hilliard Named Great Lakes Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year

Hilliard Named Great Lakes Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year
March 13, 2023

Women's Coach of the Year

EAST REGION – Kristen Morwick – Tufts

Morwick, in her 23rd year at Tufts, led the Jumbos to a runner-up finish at the NESCAC Indoor Championships with 108 points. Tufts has top-10 #EventSquad Rankings and No. 1 East Region in the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, long jump, and triple jump. The Jumbos have the top-ranked athlete in the region in six events and No. 2 rankings in three events.

GREAT LAKES REGION – Paris Hilliard – Wittenberg

Hilliard, in his eighth year at Wittenberg, led the Tigers to the team title at the NCAC Indoor Champinships with 190 for the program's first indoor crown since 1997. Wittenberg nearly swept the top awards, winning Sprint Athlete of the Year, Distance Athlete of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Hilliard and his staff also earned NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year.

METRO REGION – Justin Lindsey – TCNJ

Lindsey, in his 10th year at TCNJ, led the Lions to their fifth-straight team title at the NJAC Indoor Championships with 239 points and winning 11 events. TCNJ has six national top-25 marks, including the No. 5 team in the 4×400-meter relay.

MID-ATLANTIC REGION – Bobby Van Allen – Johns Hopkins

Van Allen, in his 24th year at Johns Hopkins, led the Blue Jays to their 12th consecutive Centennial Indoor Championship with 291 points, which was the second highest point total in meet history. Johns Hopkins has the four athletes ranked in the top-5 nationally, led by a national-leading mark in the triple jump.

MIDEAST REGION – Nate Hoey – Williams

Hoey, in his 10th year at Williams, led the Ephs to team titles at the New England Division III Indoor Championships and the Little 3 Indoor Championships. Hoey has led the Ephs to 24 regional top-5 marks, including the top marks in the mile, 5000 meters, pole vault, and long jump. Williams has 13 entries in eight events for the NCAA Championships.

MIDWEST REGION – Matt Jones – Loras

Jones, in his 10th year at Loras, led the Duhawks to the team title at the ARC Indoor Championships. Loras has eight events that reside in the top-10 in the #EventSquad Rankings. The Duhawks have also been ranked among the top-4 nationally throughout the season.

NIAGARA REGION – Sam Albert – Rochester (N.Y.)

Albert, in his 14th year at Rochester (N.Y.), led the Yellowjackets to their first team title at the Liberty League Indoor Championships with 186 points. Albert coached his sprinters to four event titles and 86 points, with Susan Bansbach being named the Women's Track Athlete of the Meet. At the AARTFC Championships, Kate Isaac won the 400-meer crown and the Yellowjackets set a meet record in the 4×400-meter relay.

NORTH REGION – Nick Davis – UW-La Crosse

Davis, in his 6th year at UW-La Crosse, led the Eagles to the team title at the WIAC Indoor Championships with a meet-record 324 points. UW-La Crosse has eight No. 1 #EventSquad Rankings and has 21 athletes qualified for the NCAA Championships. Davis' team is the top-ranked team in the National TFRI and in the North Region.

SOUTH REGION – Linh Nguyen – Emory

Nguyen, in his fourth year at Emory, led the Eagles to a third-place finish at the UAA Indoor Championships. Emory holds 12 #EventSquad Rankings, topped by a No. 7 in the 60-meter hurdles. The Eagles also have 27 top-10 South Region performances, including six regional-leading efforts.

WEST REGION – John Smith – George Fox

Smith, in his 18th year at George Fox, has the Bruins ranked No. 1 in the West Region. George Fox has two national qualifiers and notched 14 All-Region honors. The Bruins have three national top-23 marks and 14 regional top-5 efforts, including three No. 1s in the 800 meters, mile, and pentathlon.