ALLENDALE, MICHIGAN – The U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year honors for the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field season on Monday, June 3^rd.

Award winners were declared by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches at the end of the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas. 

USTFCCCA Regional Athlete and Coaches of the Year List

Myles Kerner received the 2024 Midwest Regional Men's Field Athlete of the Year honors after closing out the 2024 Outdoor Track & Field season as the NCAA Division II National Champion in the men's shot put. Kerner tossed a throw of 19.94m to crown himself the National Champion, as well as the new Grand Valley State record holder and the Welch Stadium facility record holder. At the 2024 Conference Championships, Kerner finished in first place with a distance of 19.33m. Additionally, Kerner earned six first place finishes on the season, including a win at the 2024 Texas Relays. Kerner ends his season ranked first in Division II, eighth in All-Collegiate and seventh on the Division II All-Time list.

The Grand Valley State men's coaching staff earned both the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year and Men's Head Coach of the Year in the Midwest Region. 

Steve Jones received the 2024 Men's Assistant Coach of the Year in the Midwest Region after a successful outdoor season. Jones led the jumps crew to 57 points at the GLIAC Outdoor Championships this seasons as well as 19 points at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Jones coached the Laker jumpers to a 1-3-6 finish at Nationals, led by National Champion Jaivon Harrison, who additionally claimed the indoor title this year. 

Head Coach, Jerry Baltes, earned the 2024 Midwest Region Head Coach of the Year honors in his 25^th year as Head Coach at Grand Valley State. The men's team finished in fifth place at the 2024 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, claiming two individual National Titles. Baltes led 18 individual entries and two relay teams to Emporia, Kansas to compete at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Additionally, Grand Valley State claimed their seventh consecutive conference title, 17^th program title overall. 

 Matt Conly was awarded the 2024 Midwest Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year after coaching the Lakers' throws crew to tally 32 out of the team's 39.5 points at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Lakers finished in fourth place, claiming two individual National titles, led by Erika Beistle in the discus and shot put. Additionally, Conly's throwing group recorded 81 points at the Outdoor GLIAC Championships.