MADISON, Wis – UW Track and Field and Cross Country Director Mick Byrne was named U.S. Track and Field Cross Coutnry Coaches Association Great Lakes Region coach of the Year on Tuesday for the 10th time in his career. 

The news comes after a 10th place finish at NCAA Championships, a runner-up showing at Great Lakes Regional Championships and a Big Ten Championship victory. 

Byrne has now won the award three years in a row and fourth time in six seasons. Including his time leading Iona, Byrne has been earned 16 regional cross country coaching honors from the USTFCCCA. 

He led this year's Wisconsin runners to their sixth straight Big Ten Title and 54th in program history. The win elevated Byrne past UW legend Martin Smith for most Big Ten Championships won by a head coach all-time with 13. 

Byrne and the Badgers will look to carry their success into the 2024 season as the Badgers are set to host the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. The last time the national title was on home-soil was 2018 where UW legend Morgan McDonald took the individual crown.