Cleary, Naukot Earn Mid-Atlantic Region Honors from USTFCCCA
November 25, 2025 04:15 PM | Cross Country
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Nov. 25, 2025) – West Virginia University cross country Head Coach Sean Cleary has been named 2025 Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year, while sophomore Joy Naukot has been selected as the Mid-Atlantic Region Women's Athlete of the Year, the U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced. Both Mountaineers are official nominees for the USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year and National Athlete of the Year.
Cleary earns the regional honor for the second consecutive season and the fifth time in his career. His leadership guided WVU to the NCAA Championships for the fifth time in the last six years, highlighted by the team's performance at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional and the program's fifth NCAA Championship appearance in the last six years.
"Coach of the Year awards are very special for the team's entire staff," Cleary said. "We all realize that we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. I am fortunate to have a very determined and talented team in addition to a very selfless staff."
Naukot's selection continues WVU's remarkable run of regional success. She becomes the third Mountaineer in program history to earn the Mid-Atlantic Region Women's Athlete of the Year award. This is the fourth time in the last five seasons that a Mountaineer has won this award.
Naukot won the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional individual title, setting the course record and tying the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship meet record. She earned All-Big 12, All Mid-Atlantic Region and All-American honors.
"Joy's season speaks for itself," Cleary added. "All-Big 12, All Mid-Atlantic Region and of course All-American. Winning the regional championship in a Mid-Atlantic record demonstrates how very special she is."
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Cleary earns the regional honor for the second consecutive season and the fifth time in his career. His leadership guided WVU to the NCAA Championships for the fifth time in the last six years, highlighted by the team's performance at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional and the program's fifth NCAA Championship appearance in the last six years.
"Coach of the Year awards are very special for the team's entire staff," Cleary said. "We all realize that we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. I am fortunate to have a very determined and talented team in addition to a very selfless staff."
Naukot's selection continues WVU's remarkable run of regional success. She becomes the third Mountaineer in program history to earn the Mid-Atlantic Region Women's Athlete of the Year award. This is the fourth time in the last five seasons that a Mountaineer has won this award.
Naukot won the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional individual title, setting the course record and tying the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship meet record. She earned All-Big 12, All Mid-Atlantic Region and All-American honors.
"Joy's season speaks for itself," Cleary added. "All-Big 12, All Mid-Atlantic Region and of course All-American. Winning the regional championship in a Mid-Atlantic record demonstrates how very special she is."
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
Jack Bicknell Jr. | Aug. 7
Thursday, August 07
Sean Cleary/Ceili McCabe | Nov. 19
Tuesday, November 19
XC: Ceili McCabe Big 12 Championship Post-Race Interview
Friday, November 01
Petal Palmer - 2024 Wilma Rudolph Award Recipient
Monday, June 10
