After leading the Badgers to the program’s 48th Big Ten Conference title and bringing home an individual crown as well this past weekend in Minnesota, Morgan McDonald (pictured) was honored as the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
Joining McDonald is Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Mick Byrne, as Byrne was named the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. It’s the 35th Coach of the Year honor that Byrne has accumulated during his esteemed collegiate coaching career, including his seventh Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year honor.
McDonald earned the award by dominating the field on Sunday at the Les Bolstad Course in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The junior crossed the finish line in 24 minutes, 35.7 seconds, over eight seconds in front of the next runner. His success led Wisconsin to the team title, beating Michigan State by three points.
Wisconsin returns home to host the 2016 NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 11 at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course.