By: Tito Chapman
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its Region Athletes and Coaches of the Year awards for the 2021 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Season on Wednesday 19 May.
Women’s Assistant Track & Field Coach Shirvon Greene, now in his 12th year coaching distances at Monroe, New Rochelle was named the Atlantic Region’s Assistant Coach of the Year in the women’s category.
Greene guided the Mustangs to region-leading marks in the 800 (Aaliyah Moore), 1500 (Thulisile Amon) and 5000 (Tshwanelo Maruping). From reports, Monroe was especially deep in the 800 and 1500, owning the top three positions in the region. Greene also serves as Associate Head Coach.
Due to having one of the smallest Men’s Team as a result of the pandemic, Greene opined that he wasn’t considered for the Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year award. However, he is elated that his athlete, Enock Kimutai copped the award for Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, (Atlantic Region).
Kimutai, a freshman from Nairobi, Kenya, is undefeated this season in the 5000 and ranks seventh nationally with his 14:54.04A mark from the Aggie Classic. He is also ranked 17th nationally in the 1500 at 3:58.83.
In an exclusive interview with SKN PULSE, Greene said:
This is one of the most special awards that I ever got. I value all of them but this one, mainly because the students had to go through a pandemic. They were locked in and focused. They really wanted to go and compete and when they were given the opportunity to, they did. For obvious reasons, we know it was a hard time for them. Just to see that they got the opportunity to compete in the season and to go out and run; just to be there, and to enjoy the atmosphere and support them, that was enough for me. The support from the institution and the Athletic Directors goes a long way.
Coach Greene echoed special thanks to:
Athletic Directors
– Luis Melendez
– Chazia Weste
– Sandy Rodriguez
– Jessica Rayford
Medical Team
– Andrew Calo (primary trainer)
– Robert Keehn
– Raeven Reivers
For each of the four regions: Atlantic, Central, Midwest and West, both Men and Women top track athletes, field athletes, coaches and assistant coaches were honoured.
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
