NEW ORLEANS, LA – The College of Idaho Women's Cross Country and Track & Field team was announced as the Program of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as announced on Tuesday afternoon for the first time in Yotes history. The previous best was 4
th last year and also in 2015-2016. Head Coach
Dominic Bolin said "Winning Program of the Year is a huge achievement, and another accomplishment this group can add to an already historic year. It is a testament of the kids we have and all their hard work and consistency through the year. I'm extremely proud of them and could not have asked for a better group."
The Yotes' Women Cross Country took home their first national title last fall. At the indoor track & field championships, the Yotes worked their way to a 10
th place finish. The indoor championships saw
Ellyse Tingelstad finish as the national champion for the 5k. The Yotes most recently finished 12
th at the outdoor track & field championships. The College of Idaho President Doug Brigham expressing his gratitude said "We are so proud of Coach Bolin and what he has done with our Women's Cross Country and Track & Field teams and we are all so proud to be recognized with this overall National Championship. Winning our first national championship in Cross Country in the Fall and then having multiple All-American runners in indoor and outdoor Track & Field shows the depth he has been able to recruit and build. As importantly, these athletes have performed at a high academic level too."
In one of the tightest USTFCCCA program of the year finishes, the Yotes needed a tiebreaker against second place Cumberlands (Ky.). The fall national championship broke the deadlock between the two high performing programs. Vice President of Athletics for the Yotes Reagan Rossi couldn't be prouder and more said "We are excited to celebrate Coach Bolin and our Women's Cross Country and Track & Field teams. To say we are proud of their accomplishments both academically and athletically would be an understatement. To achieve success at the highest level is a testament to their commitment to the College and to each other."
