Oregon’s Edward Cheserek was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Male Cross Country Athlete of the Year, the organization announced Tuesday.
The star junior runner also collected an academic honor and an All-American award. He was one of 13 Ducks that received postseason recognition.
Cheserek earned the awards after winning the NCAA Division I Cross Country title for an unprecedented third consecutive season. He joined fellow Duck Steve Prefontaine as well as a pair of Washington State runners, Gerry Lindgren and Henry Rono, as the only three-time individual champions — though only Cheserek was able to pick up the victories in consecutive years.
His NCAA victory was the fifth win of his season, which included titles at the Dellinger Invitational, West Regional and Pac-12 Championships.
Between cross country and track and field Cheserek now has nine overall NCAA titles, which ties him for fourth all-time.
Joining Cheserek as an all-American, by finishing in the top 40 at the NCAA Championships, were teammates Waverly Neer (27th), Alli Cash (31st) and Molly Grabill (33rd).
Neer, Cash and Sam Prakel were all named to the Pac-12 all-academic first team. Jackson Darland, Matthew Melancon and Travis Neuman all made the second team. Grabill, Cheserek, Frida Berge, Ashley Maton, Brianna Nerud, Maggie Schmaedick and Bryan Fernandez were all honorable mentions.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur