NEW ORLEANS (Blugolds.com) – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor season, with throwers David Kornack (Sr. – Edgar, WI) and Erica Oawster (Sr. – Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) and assistant coach Dan Schwamberger earning recognition.
Kornack and Oawster were named the Midwest Region's Field Athletes of the Year while Schwamberger was named the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year.
Kornack has been rewriting the record books all season. The senior became just the third NCAA DIII thrower to post a mark further than 63 feet when he threw 19.38m (63-7) to win the shot put crown at the Drake Relays on April 27th. Kornack landed another 63-foot mark at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship (presented by Culver's) and currently leads the nation in the event and is also ranked seventh nationally in the discus.
Oawster leads the country in the discus at 51.19m (168-0) and is second nationally in the shot put (14.47m, 47-5.75). The senior became the eighth best performer in NCAA DIII history with her PR mark in the discus.
Schwamberger, who is in his 12th year leading the Eau Claire distance crew, had national qualifiers in the 800, 1500, 5K and 10K this season. The Blugolds also won WIAC titles in the 800, 1500 and 5K and have three athletes ranked in the top 6 in the nation – Kyler Lueck (second in the 1500 and fourth in the 800), Darin Lau (fourth in the 10K and sixth in the 5K) and Patrick Treacy (fifth in the 1500).
The Blugolds will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, May 23-25. Follow the Blugolds on Blugold Game Day or on the "UWEC Blugolds" app.
