MARION, Ind. – The Indiana Wesleyan University men’s cross country and track & field programs are the USTFCCCA NAIA Men’s Program of the Year, according to a release by the national organization on Thursday.

The USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Program of the Year Award honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution’s finish at the NAIA National Championships.

“This award was never the end goal but it is exciting to receive recognition for the work put in by our talented athletes and phenomenal coaches,” said track & field head coach Caleb Snyder. “As a program, we are convinced that if we seek God first in everything we do, success will become the byproduct and this award is proof of that.”

In order to be eligible for the award, teams must qualify for each of the NAIA National Championships. Scoring is based on the team’s finish at each NAIA National Championship in cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field (i.e. 1st = 1 point, 2nd = 2 points … 31st = 31 points) with the lowest total score for all three championships combined determining the award winner.

“This award is a testimony to the balance of our program,” said cross country head coach John Foss. “While it’s possible to use resources to be dominant in one sport or the other, Indiana Wesleyan represents teamwork. Our performance in track was possible because we had throwers, vaulters, sprinters, and distance runner all using their God-given gifts to honor Him.”

The cross country team earned runner-up while both indoor and outdoor track & field teams placed seventh in their respective championships. The victory for Indiana Wesleyan brought an end to a three-year stretch that Indiana Tech won the award.

Indiana Wesleyan won with 16 points while Oklahoma City (Okla.) was second with 19 points. Saint Mary (Kan.) took third place with 32 points, Dordt (Iowa) earned fourth place with 38.5 points, and Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) rounded out the top-five with 40 points.