Marian's Wise and Vinson Recognized as USTFCCCA NAIA Coaches of the Year

NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes & Coaches of the Year for the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field season were announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). For the second time in program history, the Knights were honored with the NAIA Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year for men's indoor track and field, as Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Katie Wise earned the men's head coach honor, while Mychal Vinson was earned the assistant coaching honor.

These awards were voted on by USTFCCCA member coaches following the conclusion of the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships this past weekend in Gainesville, Florida, based off performances at that meet, as well as throughout the rest of the season.

Only athletes and coaches from member institutions are eligible to win awards.

Katie Wise of Marian (Ind.) was named the 2025 NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field National Coach of the Year. Wise, in her first year with the Knights as head coach, led the program to its first national team title in program history at the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships. Marian (Ind.) had a balanced attack in Gainesville, Florida, scoring across 11 events with victories in both the 4×400 and distance medley relays and shot put, plus a runner-up finish in the 4×800 relay. Earlier in the season, the Knights romped to victory at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships where they scored a meet-record 315 points with 13 event titles. Wise was also named the NAIA Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the 2025 NAIA National Championship, an honor bestowed upon her peers and fellow coaches.

Mychal Vinson of Marian (Ind.) was named the 2025 NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field National Assistant Coach of the Year. Vinson, in his fourth year with the Knights, saw his athletes amass 28 points at the 2025 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships to help lead the program to its first national team title in program history. Included in that showing was a 2-3-5 finish in the 600 meters with Olivier Lifrange, Eric Materna, and Richard Dube in those respective spots, while the trio along with the efforts of Eli Givens and Raif Miller helped Marian win their first-ever national championship in the 4x400m relay. Earlier in the season, Marian (Ind.)'s mid-distance/distance athletes snagged seven event titles at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships.

Marian will begin their outdoor season in the coming weeks, with the first meet of the year scheduled to take place over the weekend of March 21.

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