Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2022 NCAA Division II Cross Country season were announced this past Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the season. Zach Kreft was named the Midwest Region Athlete of the Year after his tremendous performance for the Cavaliers this Fall.Kreft, a transfer from The University of Notre Dame, began his career as a Cavalier with a win at the All-Ohio Collegiate Championships earning 1st place honors after crossing the finish line at the 24:03 minute mark. Zach, once again, paced the Cavaliers with an impressive eigth place finish overall out of over 415 runners from Division I schools at the Paul Short Run event hosted by LeHigh University. Kreft crossed the finish line with a total run time of 23:14.9, setting a new school record in the 8k.
Kreft's momentum didn't stop in LeHigh. As the team traveled to Lock Haven to run in the Go Fast River Run event, Kreft and the Cavaliers continued their Fall success. The Men took home first place out of 14 teams. Setting a new course record and taking home another 1st place honor this season, Zach Kreft was on top of the podium once again. Kreft clocked an 8k run time of 23:47.2 to send him home in first place.
Zach Kreft stood atop the podium in Findlay at the G-MAC Championship as the the first runner to cross the finish line with a clocked time of 24:05.0. Kreft has remained steady all Fall season, marking this as his third 1st place finish as a Cavalier. The Notre Dame transfer would cap off the regular season for the Cavaliers as the Great Midwest Runner of the Year.
Heading into the Midwest Regional Championships, Kreft and the Cavaliers kept their eyes forward. For the fifth year in a row, the Men's team qualified for the NCAA DII National Championship after their third place finish in Wisconsin. Another dominating performance by Zach Kreft during the 10k race would have him standing on top once again for the Cavs. Kreft left Wisconsin as the Midwest Regional Champion with a final race time of 30:45.33. Along with Kreft, teammates Nathan Moore and Julian Shrock also received All-Region honors for their Top 25 finishes.
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