NEW ORLEANS, La. – David McNeill of the Northern Arizona track and field team was once again named Mountain Region Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association Friday morning. This is the second time this season McNeill has received the honor as he was awarded the same title during the indoor campaign.

"I think awards are always something special to get because they keep the people who make running possible for me proud," McNeill said after hearing of the news. "It is quite an honor to receive the award, especially with the tremendous caliber of athletes that we have in our region."

The Australia native becomes the first NAU track athlete to win both awards in the same season since former national champion Lopez Lomong won them during his stellar 2007 track campaign.

The award, as voted on by the regions track and field coaches, comes after McNeill recorded the best time at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in the 5,000-meter run. The senior also holds the nation's fastest 5K time heading into the national championships.

The recent award from the USTFCCCA now gives McNeill four total Mountain Region awards, with two coming from the 2008 and 2009 cross country seasons.

McNeill's final track race as a Lumberjack will take place on June 12 at 11:21 a.m. PDT, live on CBS.

DID YOU KNOW…Overall, 44 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA for the fall semester, representing 14 of the 15 squads. The soccer team led the department with eight student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA for the semester.