USTFCCCA releaseALAMOSA, Colo. (December 9, 2014) – After claiming the RMAC Championship individual crown and a second consecutive title at the NCAA Division II national meet, senior
Tabor Stevens of Adams State University has been named the USTFCCCA Men's National Athlete of the Year. Stevens is a two-time winner as he was also the recipient of the award following the 2013 cross country season.
"It's an honor to receive the award." Stevens said. "I'm proud to represent Adams on this stage after a successful season."
With a rain-shortened 9560 meter course at the national meet in Louisville on Dec. 6, Stevens distanced himself by 17 seconds over the second place finisher to become just the eighth male runner since 1976 to claim a pair of national titles. He also became just the fifth male runner to win the award in consecutive seasons.
His first place time of 30:02 propelled Adams State to its third consecutive NCAA DII National Championship. Following closely behind Stevens at the national meet were teammates
Kevin Batt,
Matt Daniels, and
Chad Palmer who finished 4
th, 5
th, and 18
th, respectively. All four of the aforementioned student-athletes earned All-American status en route to ASU obtaining a total of 69 points. The team championship was the program's 11
th at the NCAA Division II level and 23
rd overall (NAIA).
Stevens remains in select company with Reuben Mwei who is the only other ASU male runner to be named the Men's National Athlete of the Year. Mwei did so after the 2009 cross country season.
In total, the 6-foot-7 Canon City, Colo. native tallied two wins, a runner up finish, and one third place finish during his senior campaign.
