Nebraska Wesleyan University had two award winners when the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the winners of the regional awards for the 2011 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season. Senior Kevin Janata was named the USTFCCCA Central Region Men’s Track Athlete-of-the-Year while Derek Frese was named the Women’s Assistant Coach-of-the-Year.

Janata (Howells, Neb.) leads the country in the 110-meter hurdles heading into the NCAA Division III Championships, with a wind-aided best time of 14.24 seconds. His time is tied for the third fastest time in school history. Janata has been remarkably consistent this outdoor season, running under 14.50 seconds in all but one high-hurdle race, including preliminary rounds.

Janata placed fourth at the 2010 DIII Outdoor Championships to earn his first All-American award. He earned another All-America award during the indoor season when he placed fifth in the 55-meter hurdles at the 2011 Indoor Championships.

Frese is the Central Region women’s field assistant coach-of-the year for the third consecutive track & field season after also earning the award during the 2010 outdoor season and earlier this season during the 2011 indoor season.

Of the ten championship entries for eighth-ranked Nebraska Wesleyan, six are by throwers coached by Frese. With two women in the shots, two in the discus and one each in the hammer and javelin, Frese’s group looks to continue their recent conference success into the NCAA Championships.

Frese, who is in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the NWU track & field program, also has one male thrower qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.