Sophomore McNeill Given Regional Honor

NEW ORLEANS, La.- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), released it’s list of Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year Thursday, on the eve of the NCAA Championships. Among the athletes honored was Northern Arizona University sophomore David McNeill.

“This is a great honor for David and for NAU,” said Head Cross Country Coach Eric Heins. “This is something that the coaches vote on, so to be recognized by them is quite an accomplishment.”

Two weeks after finishing first at the Big Sky Conference Championships, McNeill raced to an impressive 10-second win in difficult conditions at the Mountain Regional. He placed second in the blue race at Pre-Nationals. The sophomore from Melbourne, Australia also finished 10th at last year's NCAA Championships as the Lumberjacks finished fourth in the team race.

This is the second consecutive award for the Lumberjacks. In 2007 Lopez Lomong was given the honor, following his win at the Regional Championships.

“It’s was great to have Lopez last year, and it’s really great to have David stepping up to be the next top guy in the region,” said Heins.

McNeill will lead the No. 11 NAU men’s team into Monday’s National Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.