MONTREAT, N.C. – Regional Coaches of the Year for the 2018 NAIA Cross Country season were announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as voted on by member coaches from that division.

Head coach Jason Lewkowicz was named the South Region Men's Coach of the Year, and received his award at the banquet preceding the NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The USTFCCCA honors five regional coaches out of all NAIA conference coaches of the year.

Lewkowicz, in his fourth season as head coach, led the Cavaliers to the team title at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Canton, Ga. on Nov. 3. Montreat beat the runner-up Milligan by eight points as it put three runners in the top-10 and – remarkably for a title-winning team – none in the top-3. He took his men's team to its first national championship and went on to produce Montreat's first ever XC All-American on the women's side.

"Any time you receive this kind of recognition, it is an honor and it all goes back to the work of our team. Coaches don't win awards without the success of their athletes and this is no exception. They have been an amazing group to coach and I am very blessed to be a part of what we're doing at Montreat," said Coach Lewkowicz.

"We're thrilled for Coach Lewkowicz's recognition. This validates the championship foundation he's been building for the past few years. It's a team-centered, God-honoring foundation. I know his athletes are thrilled for this recognition for their coach," said Athletics Director Jose Larios.

For the full list of this year's USTFCCCA regional award winners, click here.