South Atlantic Conference Earns Three Major Region Awards from USTFCCCA for Men's Indoor Track & Field

NEW ORLEANS, La. –Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2020 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field season were announced last week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with the three of the four major awards come from the South Atlantic Conference for men's indoor track & field. 
 
Queens director of track & field and cross country Jim Vahrenkamp was named Southeast Region Men's and Women's Coach of the Year. In his ninth year at Queens, Vahrenkamp coached his men's team to the SAC title by 59 points. The SAC Coach of the Year had the top ranked team in the Southeast all season and he guided five individuals and one relay to the NCAA Championships. His heptathlon group is ranked No 5 in the Event Squad Rankings, along with three top-10 rankings in the 800, 3,000 and 5,000. The Royals are also ranked No. 23 nationally. This is the third year in a row and fourth time overall that Vahrenkamp has earned this honor during the men's indoor season.

Tom Scott was named Southeast Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. In his second year at Queens, Scott coached 13 national qualifying marks. His event group was responsible for 93 of the Royals' 167 points to secure the SAC title. He guided four individuals and one relay to the NCAA Championships. His 800 and 5,000 teams are ranked No. 4 in the Event Squad Rankings, and his 3,000 group sits seventh. This is his second year being recognized with this honor.

Carson-Newman's Christian Shouse was named Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year. Shouse, a freshman from Jacksboro, Tennessee, is ranked 18th nationally in both the long jump at 7.36m (24-1¾) and the high jump at 2.09m (6-10¼). He was named the SAC Indoor Championships Field Athlete of the Year after winning the high jump and long jump in addition to a third-place finish in the pole vault.