NEW ORLEANS (blugolds.com) – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.) was named the Male Field Performer of the Year after capturing a National Championship and a second place finish at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor National Meet.
Ekoue's victory in the shot put (17.63m) and a runner-up placement in the discus (56.55m) helped propel the UW-Eau Claire men's team to a 5th overall finish. This is the first time Ekoue has earned the honor along with being named USTFCCCA Field Performer of the Meet earlier this week. This is UWEC's fourth time having a Blugold receive the honor (Kornack-2019, Weaver-21, Weaver-22).
Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend in Rochester, New York, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.
