NEW ORLEANS – A record-breaking track & field season continued for Lyndee Dawson on Monday. The Eagles' top female distance runner earned a prestigious honor when the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its 2017 NAIA Track & Field regional athletes and coaches of the year.
 
Dawson, in her third active track & field season for Biola, was named the West Region Track Athlete of the Year by the organization.
 
"I'm very happy for Lyndee, she has worked really hard and is so deserving of this award," said Head Coach Sean Henning. "Lyndee is the type of student-athlete you wish you had ten of. She is a great leader, student and athlete. She cares deeply about others and her faith."
 
It's been another stellar season for Dawson as she's ranked first nationally in the women's 3,000m steeplechase (10:29.72) and is also inside of the top-10 in the 5k (16:53.88) and the 1,500m race (4:30.59).
 
She's qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in those three individual events. Earlier in the season at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships she earned All-American honors in the 3,000m, 4x800m relay and distance medley relay.
 
Her 10:29.72 in the 3,000m steeplechase is a new school record. She broke the old school record (set in 2011) by nearly 10 full seconds.

In addition to the great NAIA accolades it's worth noting that if the Eagles were competing in the NCAA Division II this season Dawson would have times good enough to qualify her for the D2 national meet in the 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m. She's one of only two current student-athletes with times that would meet NCAA standards.

"Lyndee is such a competitor and will give everything she can for her team" said Henning. "She has played a vital role in the identity of our program and has been a very easy athlete to coach. I'm excited to see how the rest of her season plays out this week at nationals!"
 
Other regional athletes of the year came from Aquinas (Mich.), Doane (Neb.), Milligan (Tenn.) and Southwestern (Kansas).
 
Dawson and her teammates complete their season competing at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama later this week.