NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season Tuesday and Gustavus thrower Michael Hensch (Sr., North Branch, Minn.) was named the Central Region Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
Hensch pulled off an unprecedented quadruple at the MIAC Championships. He became the first athlete in the 99-year history of the MIAC to win each of the four throwing events contested. Hensch is ranked seventh nationally in the hammer, eighth nationally in the shot put, 16th nationally in the discus and 28th nationally in the javelin. He will contest the discus, shot put and hammer at NCAAs.
Each of the eight regions – Atlantic, Central, Great Lakes, Mideast, Midwest, New England, South/Southeast 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.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
Amazing accomplishments. Congratulations to the Gustavus track team. All the best going forward, Go Gusties! Joel W.