Conference

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association  (USTFCCCA) announced its 2009 Division II regional honorees on Monday and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) was well represented on the list.

Chico State junior Michael Wickman was named West Region Track Athlete of the Year, Daniel Thu of UC San Diego was Women’s Field Athlete of the Year, Kendra Reimer of Cal State L.A. was Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year, Chico State’s Gary Towne was Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year and Darcy Ahner of UC San Diego was recognized as Women’s Head Coach of the Year.

Michael Wickman – Chico State
Wickman leads all NCAA Division II competitors in the 800 meters at 1:49.38, and he is third on the list in the 1500 meters at 3:44.45. He was the CCAA leader in both events all season long, and he won both events at the conference meet.

Danielle Thu – UC San Diego
Thu has the best mark in the hammer this year in NCAA Division II with a toss of 189’ 6”. The mark is also the second-furthest throw by a NCAA Division II athlete in the last three years. Thu was the CCAA champion in the event this year.

Kendra Reimer – Cal State L.A.
Reimer coaches the multis, jumps, sprints, and throws for the Golden Eagles. Four of her athletes have earned NCAA qualifying marks, including a 4x400 meter relay. Three athletes qualified for the indoor championships of which two earned All-American honors. Reimer coached the CCAA Newcomer of the Year and CCAA Champions in the 200 meters, the long jump, and the triple jump.

Gary Towne – Chico State
Towne is responsible for coaching the Chico State distance runners. He coaches the top ranked runner in the 800 meters in Michael Wickman. In addition to Wickman, who is qualified in two events (800 and 1500 meters), seven other student-athletes will represent Chico State at the Division II Outdoor Championships in the distance events.

Darcy Ahner – UC San Diego
Ahner guided the Tritons to a No. 1 overall ranking in the Division II Dual Meet Rankings, and to their fifth straight CCAA title. She had eight individual CCAA champions plus two relay championships. UC San Diego has 13 individual entries and two relays in the national meet.