Natalie Bitetti Earns West Region Athlete of the Year Award; Stewart, Muncan Earn Coaching Honors

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Senior distance runner Natalie Bitetti earned the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) West Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Award, the organization announced today.

Head Coach Glenn Stewart also earned the USTFCCCA West Region Coach of the Year and Marina Muncan, who also serves as the head coach of the cross country program, was named the USTFCCCA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year. 

Bitetti earned the honor after capturing All-Region honors in four different indoor events (mile, 3000 meters, 5000 meters, distance medley relay). Her indoor season included running a 16:33.50 in the 5000 meters at the Boston University Season Opener on Dec. 2, which is the fastest 5K in CMS history, either indoors or outdoors.

Bitetti also ran a 9:29.76 in the 3000 meters at the Boston University Valentine Invitational in February, which placed third in the country during the regular season. She was part of a DMR that ran an 11:43.04 at the same meet, qualifying them for nationals.

The strong indoor season came on the heels of Bitetti finishing second in the country at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in November, matching the highest finish in CMS cross country history (men or women). She was the USTFCCCA West Region Cross Country Athlete of the Year as well, after sweeping titles at both the SCIAC Championships and the NCAA West Region Championships for the second straight year. 

The NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships will take place this weekend at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, where the CMS distance medley relay will run on Friday, and Bitetti will compete in the 3000 meters on Saturday.