May 24, 2002

LOGAN, Utah - Gregg Gensel was today named the 2002 Division I Men's Outdoor Track and Field Mondo Mountain Region Coach of the Year as voted on by members of the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA). In all, coaches and athletes from nine regions were honored by USTCA.

Gensel, who is in his 21st year at Utah State and 15th as the head coach, led USU's men's team to its sixth Big West Championship in the past nine years this past weekend in earning conference coach of the year honors. It was the sixth time in his career that he has earned men's coach of the year honors and the 13th overall, as he has been named women's coach of the year four times and cross country coach of the year three times. Gensel was also named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Indoor coach of the year in 1993. It is the first time in his coaching career that he has earned region coach of the year honors.

"Being named the region coach of the year is a not only a great honor for myself, but for our staff and student-athletes as well," said Gensel. "All the individual recognition I have received over the years is a direct result of the efforts of my staff and student-athletes."

Gensel is now eligible for selection for the Mondo/USTCA National Coach of the Year, which will be voted on at the conclusion of next week's NCAA Championships at LSU in Baton Rouge, La.