March 11, 2008

NEW ORLEANS – Defending NCAA indoor champions Marie Borner, Willy Kaul and Caitlin Schetter, and 2008 runner-up Jake Winder are among the 48 men’s and women’s regional athletes and coaches of the year for the 2009 Division III indoor track and field season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Wednesday.

The USTFCCCA selects the top track athlete, field athlete, and coach for the eight regions in Division III track and field.

Borner, a junior at Bethel University, owns the nation’s second fastest time in the mile run (4:52.14) and the seventh fastest time in the 800 meter run (2:12.68). Borner will look to defend her mile national title from last season at the upcoming NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. Borner is the Women’s Central Region Track Athlete of the Year.

Wisconsin-Oshkosh senior Willy Kaul was named the Men’s Midwest Track Athlete of the Year after the stellar indoor season he has compiled. Kaul, from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, owns the fastest time in the country this year in the 5,000 meters (14:12.64). Kaul was the 5,000 meter champion last year.

Schetter, a senior at Wisconsin-La Crosse, owns the best long jump mark in Division III at 19’5.5” and is ranked third in the triple jump (39’2.5”) heading into the Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Schetter was the 2008 NCAA Champion in the long jump and is the 2009 Women’s Midwest Field Athlete of the Year.

After finishing second a year ago in the men’s pole vault North Central (Illinois) senior Jake Winder, the 2009 Men’s Midwest Field Athlete of the Year, will look to take home is first NCAA title. Winder holds the highest clearance in the pole vault this year (18'0.5"). He was the CCIW Champion for the second straight season and also finished ninth at the USATF Indoor Nationals.

View the list of this year’s winners