Simon Fraser University athletics coach Brit Townsend is well on her way to fulfilling her next cross-country challenge.
The 15-year collegiate head coach was named the NCAA Division II West Region women's cross-country coach of the year last Wednesday.
The award is presented by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association.
Townsend's selection marks a first for SFU, a program that qualified both the men's and women's programs to the national Div.II championships this season, only three years after the school was awarded full membership into the NCAA. Last week, the Clan women were crowned West Region champions, while the men qualified for their first-ever nationals in sixth position at the regionals.
"I think the girls had set a goal right from our training camp in August to win the West Region championships," Townsend said in a Clan press release. "Chico State was a very tough competitor, but finishing near them at the Stanford meet gave us a great idea of how to race with them."
Earlier in the month, Townsend coached the women to the program's first Great Northwest conference title, defeating five-time defending cross-country dynasty Alaska Anchorage for the team banner.
Prior to joining the NCAA, Towsend coached the Clan women to five consecutive NAIA national cross-country championship titles from 2003 to '07.
"I was very fortunate to have won many coach of the year awards in the NAIA, but I would have to say I am very proud of this award today. ... For us to be able to pull off that West Region victory is outstanding," Townsend added.
"We're in a whole different ball game now in the NCAA compared to the NAIA, the depth on every team is incredible," Townsend said. "We are not taking anything for granted. It is hard to win even a conference and regional championship in this league, but the girls are heading in the right direction, especially in terms of attitude more than anything."
The Clan women are currently sixth in the national Div. II rankings, while the men are making their first-ever national appearance.
Last year, SFU's women's team placed seventh overall at the nationals.
The NCAA championships will be held in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 6.
