The Lincoln University track and field team captured a pair of big honors recently, with the Blue Tigers keeping a stranglehold on one in particular.
For the fourth straight year and seventh time overall encompassing the indoor season, Lincoln head coach Victor Thomas was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Central Region Women's Coach of the Year.
Lincoln junior Nyoka Cole was also honored by the Association, as she was named the South Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year.
The Lincoln women are ranked second nationally heading into next weekend's Division II Indoor Championships, while the Blue Tiger men are ranked No. 1.
Cole heads up a women's team that has earned 12 spots in the Championships. She leads the nation's qualifiers in the 400-meter dash and is also part of the nation's top-ranked 4x400-meter relay.
In addition to recording the fastest time in 400 during the season, Cole has also achieved top-10 ranks in the 60- and 200-meter dashes. The native of Mandeville, Jamaica, won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title in the 400, finished third in the 60 and fourth in the 200 to help lead the Blue Tigers to the team title.
The Blue Tiger women will be looking to defend their indoor title for the third straight year in the championships being held in Albuquerque, N.M.