Cazzola Voted Midwest Region Athlete Of The Year

For the second consecutive season, Christy Cazzola (Sr. • Kaukauna) has been named the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Athlete of the Year. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced eight regional winners for the 2012 cross country campaign.

Cazzola repeated at the Midwest Regional race in Winneconne on Nov. 10. Her 6,000-meter time of 20:51 was the best of her career.

At the WIAC Championship on Oct. 27, Cazzola clocked a 21:16 for her third straight league title.

Cazzola also won (22:13) the Warhawk Invitational, while placing second at both the Notre Dame Invitational (17:11) and the Brooks Invitational (21:32).

This is the fourth time in five years that a Titan received the award. Ayla Mitchell was picked Midwest Region Athlete of the Year during 2008 and 2009.

Other winners for the Midwest Region included women's coach Dan Schwamberger (UW-Eau Claire), men's athlete Tim Nelson (UW-Stout) and men's coach Al Carius (North Central).

UW-Oshkosh will run at the NCAA Division III Championship on Saturday (Nov. 17) in Terre Haute, Ind. Cazzola is a two-time All-American at the event, finishing second last season and fourth in 2010.