WVU freshman distance runner Joy Naukot capped an incredible debut season with the Mountaineers by being named the Mid-Atlantic Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Poll.
The Kapenguria, Kenya, native's season recently came to a close with a bronze medal finish in the women's 10,000 meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships earlier this month. Naukot took home the third-place finish by setting a program record, crossing the finish line in 31:34.34 -- her finish also bested the previous NCAA Championships meet record and currently stands as the sixth-fastest time in NCAA history in the event.
The finish also allowed Naukot to leave the meet in Eugene, Oregon as a First Team All-American in the 10,000 meter run, becoming the fourth athlete in program history to earn that honor, as well as the only freshman to reach the milestone.
Naukot also captured the Big 12 Championship in the 10,000 meter run in May, finishing the race with a mark of 33:30.84. She became the second Mountaineer runner to capture a Big 12 Championship in the event, joining alum Kaitlyn Gillespie.
Naukot also represented the old-gold-and-blue at the historic Penn Relays this past April with an impressive performance, managing a personal best time of 15:49.37 in the 5,000 meter run at the event. With multiple seasons of eligibility in front of the young Kenyan standout, it will be exciting to watch and see Naukot's career develop in Morgantown.