NEW ORLEANS — And the awards just keep on coming.
La Verne track standouts Lenore Moreno and Chancise Watkins were named the West Region Women's and Men's Track Athletes of the Year, respectively, the U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Tuesday. In addition, sprints coach Gary Rudin was named the West Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year.
After winning the national championship in the indoor 5,000 meters in a record time, Moreno has continued her assault on the record books outdoors. On April 4, Moreno shattered her own SCIAC record in the 10,000 meters at the Stanford Invitational and was named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week. Just a few short weeks later, Moreno broke a 32-year-old SCIAC record in the 5,000 meters at the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays. Her 10,000m mark (33:49.04) is the third fastest in Division III history and is the top time in the nation this season by almost a full minute. She is also ranked third in the 5,000 (16:28.26) and is No. 4 in the 1,500 meters. Moreno easily claimed the SCIAC championship in the 5,000 meters on May 3. Moreno will contest the 10,000 and the 5,000 at the NCAA National Championships this weekend.
Watkins also started the year with an All-American performance at the indoor national championships after finishing third in the 200 meters. Watkins was named the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week on March 31 after posting a pair of then-fastest Division III times in the 200 and the 400 meters at the SCIAC Multi-Dual No. 2. Watkins then put together a complete performance at the SCIAC Championships. Watkins won the 200 meters (21.14), the 400 meters (47.25) and the 4x100 relay, setting personal records in all three events. Watkins is the Division III leader in the 400 meters and is ranked fourth in the 200 meters. He claimed the SCIAC titles in both events as well as the 4x100 relay. He will contest all three events at the NCAA Championships.
Rudin has been instrumental in La Verne sprinters' successes this year. Rudin, who is in his 21styear as sprints coach, coached a men's 4x100 relay team that clocked the second best time in the division this year, a 40.84 run at the SCIAC Championships. In addition, Nick Gonsalves and Watkins broke school records in the 100 meters (10.72) and the 200 meters (21.14), respectively, under Rudin's tutelage. Rudin looks to guide Watkins and the 4x100 relay team to All-America performances at the NCAA Championships.
The 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be host by Ohio Wesleyan on May 22-24.
