FARMINGTON, Utah (November 5, 2021) – Northern Arizona's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Michael Smith, has been named the 2021 Men's and Women's Coach of the Year after leading both teams to a Big Sky Cross Country Championship.
"This recognition is shared with the talented coaches and support staff who train, mentor, and care for our NAU Cross Country student athletes day in and day out," Smith said, "I believe our coaches and support staff are the best in the country."
Prior to this year's sweep, Smith collected two accolades in 2019, and has now garnered eight total career awards, evenly split between the men and women's teams.
The women's team earned their third straight conference title this year with a score of 37 points, as four women had career best days, three women finished in the top-7, and All-American junior Taryn O'Neill became the defending back-to-back individual champion.
Meanwhile, four men placed in the top-8, allowing the NAU men to regain the Big Sky title with a score of 30 points; All-American sophomore Drew Bosley also claimed his second career individual title and freshman Tristian Merchant was named Men's Freshman of the Year.
Now that the postseason is in full swing, Smith is focused on preparing the No. 1 men and No. 18 women for the upcoming regional and potential national championship meets.
The Lumberjacks will compete on Nov. 12 at the NCAA Mountain Regional Meet in Provo, Utah.
