Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cross Country’s Smith Named Coach of the Year
November 04, 2015 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma State director of track and field and cross country, Dave Smith, was unanimously named Big 12 Men's and Women's Coach of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.
Smith is no stranger to the award on the men's side, as the Cowboy coach has now taken the title for the eighth consecutive season. The honor on the women's side is just his first, and he becomes the first coach to sweep both categories since 2007.
Smith led the Cowboys to their eighth consecutive conference title at the 2015 Big 12 Cross Country Championships in late October, where OSU senior Vegard Oelstad won the individual title as well. The Cowgirls also won a conference title, giving Smith the first team-sweep of the Big 12 Championships since 2007 when Colorado swept. It was the Cowgirls' first Big 12 title in school history and first conference title since 1986.
In the most recent rankings from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, Smith's Cowboys were the No. 1 team in the Midwest region for the seventh consecutive week, and the No. 6 team nationally.
After starting the season at No. 30, the Cowgirls have jumped to 13th after an undefeated regular season and an impressive showing at the Big 12 Championships that saw six Cowgirls earn All-Conference honors.
Coach Smith and the OSU Cross Country teams head to Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 13 to compete in the Midwest Regionals and will race for a spot in the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 21.
Smith is no stranger to the award on the men's side, as the Cowboy coach has now taken the title for the eighth consecutive season. The honor on the women's side is just his first, and he becomes the first coach to sweep both categories since 2007.
Smith led the Cowboys to their eighth consecutive conference title at the 2015 Big 12 Cross Country Championships in late October, where OSU senior Vegard Oelstad won the individual title as well. The Cowgirls also won a conference title, giving Smith the first team-sweep of the Big 12 Championships since 2007 when Colorado swept. It was the Cowgirls' first Big 12 title in school history and first conference title since 1986.
In the most recent rankings from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, Smith's Cowboys were the No. 1 team in the Midwest region for the seventh consecutive week, and the No. 6 team nationally.
After starting the season at No. 30, the Cowgirls have jumped to 13th after an undefeated regular season and an impressive showing at the Big 12 Championships that saw six Cowgirls earn All-Conference honors.
Coach Smith and the OSU Cross Country teams head to Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 13 to compete in the Midwest Regionals and will race for a spot in the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Nov. 21.
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