REGION AWARD WINNERS

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field season earlier this week and the Lee University men's and women's teams collected three of the 10 awards handed out for the South Region.

Cale Kassen was named the South Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, while Caleb Morgan was chosen as the South Region Men's Coach of the Year. Toni Cardenas was honored as the South Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.

Kassen finished runner-up in the Decathlon at the 2024 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 7571 points. He earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the Decathlon, High Jump, Long Jump and Pole Vault.

Morgan led the Flames to a program-high ninth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Lee, which earned seven All-American and 32 all-region honors, also won the team title at the Gulf South Conference Outdoor Championships, winning nine events.

Cardenas coached the Flames' distance runners to account for 115 points in winning the team title at the Gulf South Conference Outdoor Championships, winning five events ( 800, 1500, 5000, 10,000 and Steeplechase). Her athletes earned two All-American honors and added 12 All-Region honors.

Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches at the conclusion of the 2024 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.