June 6, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced today Iowa head coach Larry Wieczorek and assistant coach Joey Woody have earned USTFCCCA Regional Awards for the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season.
Wieczorek was named Midwest Region Coach of the Year. It is the first time in his career he has earned the track and field honor. He earned the same honor for cross country in 2001.
Wieczorek is in his 15th season as Iowa’s head track and field coach. He guided 33 student-athletes to this year’s NCAA Championships has helped 13 Hawkeyes advance to this week’s NCAA Championship final round. He led Iowa to its first Big Ten Outdoor Championship since 1967 when his team rallied from a 53½ point deficit to top Minnesota, 125.5-123. The Hawkeye men crowned three champions and earned 10 medals while setting a program record for total points at a conference outdoor championship.
“This is a tremendous honor,” said Wieczorek. “I think it’s a reflection of the great work done by our student-athletes and the success we’ve had as a program during the championship season.”
Woody was named Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year for the second time in four months. He earned the same honor following the 2011 indoor season. Woody had 10 student-athletes qualify for the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Three athletes and the 1,600-meter relay team advanced to this week’s NCAA Championships final round.
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Joey Woody led eight Hawkeyes to the medal stand at the 2011 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. |
“This is a well-deserved honor for Coach Woody,” said Wieczorek. “It’s indicative of the outstanding work he has done with our student-athletes. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we won a Big Ten team title just five years after he joined our program. He was a championship athlete and he’s a world-class coach. We’re fortunate he is a Hawkeye.”
Woody joined Iowa’s full-time staff in 2007 following a decorated competitive career that included a 1999 World Championships gold medal and a 1999 World Championships silver medal. He was a four-time All-American at Northern Iowa, winning the 1997 NCAA title in the 400-meter hurdles. He previously served as an assistant coach for the Panthers from 1997-2002.
Wieczorek and Woody will accept their awards at the final round of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships June 8-11 in Des Moines, Iowa.