Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the season. Celine Ritter was named the South Region Track Athlete of the Year. Director of Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track and Field, Caleb Morgan, swept both men's and women's south region coach of the year honors. Lane Fletcher was named men's south region assistant coach of the year.
Ritter won the 1500 meters and finished third in the 5000 meters at the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
She scored 30 points at the Gulf South Conference Outdoor Championships thanks to winning the 800 meters, 1500 meters and 10,000 meters – and was named GSC Runner of the Year.Morgan led the Flames to the team title at the Gulf South Conference Championships with 241 points, winning by 50 points. Lee had a program record 16 athletes hit provisional marks this season, with two advancing to the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Flames finished the year ranked No. 1 in the South Region with 24 All-Region selections.
Morgan led the Lady Flames to the team title at the Gulf South Conference Outdoor Championships with 276 points in winning 13 events to win by a meet-record 157 points. Lee qualified five athletes to the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships, finishing 19th as a team as Celine Ritter won the 1500 in becoming the program’s first individual outdoor national champion. The Flames totaled 28 All-Region honors. On the men's side, he led the Flames to the team title at the Gulf South Conference Championships with 241 points, winning by 50 points. Lee had a program record 16 athletes hit provisional marks this season, with two advancing to the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Flames finished the year ranked No. 1 in the South Region with 24 All-Region selections.
Fletcher coached athletes to combine for 40% of the Flames’ 241 points in winning the team title at the GSC Outdoor Championships, including four event titles. Cale Kassen, led the South Region in the 110 hurdles at 13.50 and earned All-American honors in finishing sixth at the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Members coaches voted on these honors after the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships two weeks ago in Pueblo, Colorado, and considered performances throughout the season. Only USTFCCCA member schools are eligible for awards.