Posted: November 20, 2005

Athletics: McDonnell Selected as District Coach of the Year

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Arkansas head coach John McDonnell earned another honor to recognize his outstanding accomplishments during the 2005 cross country season when he was named the NCAA South Central District Coach of the Year. He was given the award at the NCAA Championship banquet on Saturday night in Terre Haute, Ind., as his Hogs prepare for the national championships on Monday.

The district accolade is the 59th of McDonnell’s 34-year career at Arkansas, including cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Earlier this week, McDonnell was named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year after UA captured its 15th-straight SEC title and 32nd-consecutive conference cross country championship.

At the district championship meet in Waco, Texas on Nov. 12, he led the Razorbacks to their 16th-straight title. UA turned in a dominating performance and tallied 33 points with all seven runners finishing in the top 15, while Texas came in second place. The Hogs’ first-place showing also gave them an automatic berth to nationals.

The NCAA Cross Country Championships are set for Nov. 21 on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course. The 10K race will start at 11 a.m. CT.