USTFCCCA Recognizes UT’s Jarrett Slaven and Heather Nicolosi

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Wednesday the winners of USTFCCCA Region Athletes and Coaches of the Year honors for the 2010 cross country season in Division II as voted by the division's coaches. University of Tampa head coach Jarrett Slaven and female runner Heather Nicolosi took home the South Region hardware.

Slaven led his Spartan women to its fourth consecutive NCAA South Regional title after capturing the fourth straight Sunshine State Conference championship as well. Tampa finished first in five races this season, also championing the Florida Southern and Florida Tech Invites along with the Early Bird Classic. Slaven was also tabbed the SSC Female Coach of the Year.

Nicolosi became the second runner in UT history to win the NCAA South Regional (Jessica Forrester, 2008). The SSC Female Runner of the Year was also named first-team all-SSC for the third time of her career. In eight races this season, she has placed first in the previous three including the regional, SSC Championships and Florida Southern Invite. She was also second at the Florida Tech Invite and placed in the top-10 in seven of eight races this season.

Bellarmine University will host the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, December 4, at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. The men's race will begin at 11 a.m., Eastern, followed by the women's race at noon, Eastern.