 |
| Byrne by the Numbers |
| NCAA Championships: 1 |
|
Track and Field Coach of the Year Honors |
| 2024 |
Great Lakes Regional (Indoor) |
| 2024 |
Big Ten Conference (Indoor) |
|
Big Ten Conference (Outdoor) |
| 2023 |
Great Lakes Regional (Indoor) |
|
Cross Country Coach of the Year Honors |
| 2024 |
Great Lakes Regional |
| 2024 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2023 |
Great Lakes Regional |
| 2023 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2022 |
Great Lakes Regional |
| 2022 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2022 |
Great Lakes Regional |
| 2021 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2020 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2019 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2018 |
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2016 |
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2014 |
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2012 |
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2011 |
National |
|
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2010 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2009 |
Big Ten Conference |
| 2008 |
Great Lakes Regional |
|
Big Ten Conference |
| 2007 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 2006 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 2005 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 2004 |
MAAC Conference |
| 2003 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 2002 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 2001 |
MAAC Conference |
| 2000 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1999 |
Northeast Regional |
|
MAAC Conference |
| 1998 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1997 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1996 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1995 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1994 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1993 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1992 |
MAAC Conference |
| 1991 |
MAAC Conference |
|
|
Since 2008, Mick Byrne has continued the outstanding tradition of men’s distance runners at the University of Wisconsin. In August of 2013, Byrne was named the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, overseeing both the men’s and women’s programs. In his 17 years as the men’s cross country/distance coach and 12 years as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, the Badgers have:
- 7 Olympians
- 1 NCAA Team Championship
- 9 NCAA Top-Four Trophies
- 14Â NCAA Individual Champions
- 99 All-American Honors
- 17 Big Ten Team Championships
- 71 Big Ten Individual Titles
- 45 School Records
- 19Â Academic All-Americans
Olympians
Seven former Badgers who competed under Byrne have competed in the Olympics. In 2024, five of those athletes took to the line in Paris including Mohammed Ahmed (men’s 10,000 meters, men’s 5,000 meters - Canada), Oliver Hoare (men’s 1500 meters - Australia), Morgan McDonald (men’s 5000 meters - Australia), Adam Spencer (men’s 1500 meters - Australia), Zach Ziemek (decathlon - U.S.). In 2021, Ahmed, a four-time Olympian, won a silver medal in the 5,000 meters in Tokyo and also finished sixth in the 10,000 meters for Canada. Also competing in Tokyo was Kelsey Card (women’s discus – U.S.), Georgia Ellenwood (heptathlon - Canada), Oliver Hoare (men’s 1500 meters - Australia), Morgan McDonald (men’s 5,000 meters - Australia), Alicia Monson (women’s 10,000 meters – U.S.) and Zach Ziemek (decathlon – U.S.). In 2016, Ahmed, Card and Ziemek all competed on the track while Gwen Jorgensen won a gold medal in the women’s triathlon. Jorgensen also competed in the triathlon in 2012 in London and while Ahmed and Egle Staisiunaite (400-meter hurdles) competed on the track.
NCAA Champions
Byrne coached the men’s cross country team to the 2011 NCAA Cross Country Championship while UW has earned NCAA podium finishes five other times, including three straight top-three finishes from 2010-12. Wisconsin also earned a fourth-place trophy at the 2016 and 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships and the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships held in Madison.Â
National Champions
Ten Badgers have won 14 NCAA individual titles, including Morgan McDonald, who enjoyed one of the finest season’s in Wisconsin history in 2018-19. McDonald was a Bowerman Award top-10 finalist after winning national titles in cross country, indoor 3000 meters, indoor 5000 meters, and outdoor 5000 meters. Wisconsin became the first school to sweep the NCAA indoor titles in the 5000 meters when Alicia Monson joined McDonald at the 2019 championship as the national champion for women.
In 2025, Jason Swarens won the men’s shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In 2025, Taylor Kesner won the women’s weight throw at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. In 2022, Olin Hacker won the men's 5000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. A pair of Badgers won titles in 2018, Oliver Hoare won the NCAA Outdoor title in the 1500 meters while Georgia Ellenwood won the NCAA championship in the heptathlon. The Badgers also won two championships in 2016 with Zach Ziemek claiming the indoor title in the heptathlon while Kelsey Card was victorious outdoors in the discus throw. In the men’s weight throw, Michael Lihrman won back-to-back NCAA titles in 2014 and 2015.
All-American Honors
As the director of the Badgers, Byrne has aided 40 athletes to 99 All-America honors. Leading the list is Oliver Hoare, who won 10 All-America honors in track and cross country while Kelsey Card won seven All-America awards in the throws. In the multi-events, Georgia Ellenwood was a six-time All-American while Zach Ziemek earned five honors.
Academic Accolades
Behind Morgan McDonald, who was named the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year and the USTFCCCA Scholar Athlete of the Year for cross country and indoor track, the Badgers have won 21 Academic All-America accolades.
Big Ten Champions
Under Byrne, Wisconsin has won 14 Big Ten Cross Country championships and the 2014 Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field titles. UW also captured the 2023 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championship and the 2024 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championship. Individually, the Badgers have won 71 Big Ten titles. Oliver Hoare has won nine titles in the middle distances and cross country while Kelsey Card has won seven championships in the throws for the women.
Coach of the Year Honors
At Wisconsin, Byrne has been recognized by his peers earning 16 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and 12Â USTFCCCA Regional Coach of the Year awards. He was also named the 2011 National Coach of the Year award from the USTFCCCA.
Building a Dynasty
Prior to his arrival in Madison, Byrne spent 24 years at Iona College. After taking over Iona's head coaching duties in 1989, he built the Gaels' men's cross country program into a conference powerhouse and national contender, producing 17 consecutive MAAC titles and 12 trips to the NCAA championship.
Over his final five seasons at Iona (2003-07), the Gaels recorded four NCAA podium finishes, including the highest finish in school and conference history by placing second in 2007. The Gaels also earned a third-place finish in 2006 as well as fourth-place showings in 2003 and 2005. The runner-up finish in 2007 marked the sixth-straight top-10 NCAA finish and its third-consecutive appearance on the podium. Byrne, who was inducted into the Iona Gael Club Hall of Fame in 2008, was named the USTFCCCA Northeast Regional Coach of the Year in four of his final five seasons at Iona. He piloted the Gaels to NCAA Northeast Regional championships in each of those seasons.
In his final season at Iona, he guided three runners to All-America status, while five earned all-region honors and five were named to the MAAC first and second teams. Under his tutelage at Iona, the Gaels captured 15 MAAC individual cross country titles, 13 men's cross country All-America honors, 15 track All-America honors, 29 IC4A champions and 163 All-East selections.
Byrne began his coaching career as an assistant at Iona in 1984 and held that post for five seasons until being promoted to head coach prior to the 1989 season. He piloted the men's and women's track and field teams and developed the Iona women's cross country program from its inception in 1991. In just over a decade, he catapulted the women's cross country team to MAAC champions in 2004, 2006 and 2007. In 2006, his women's team finished second at the Northeast Regional and 20th at the NCAA Championships.
About Byrne
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Byrne competed collegiately at Providence College and earned a bachelor's degree in international marketing. A four-year cross country standout for the Friars, he helped elevate the program to national prominence in distance running. Byrne still holds a school record as a member of Providence's 1977 four-mile relay team.
Byrne and his wife, Mary Jo, have two sons, Aidan and Cian.
Â
| Â Men's Results |
| Â Year |
 School |
 Cross Country |
 Indoor Track |
 Outdoor Track |
|
|
 Conf |
Reg |
NCAA |
Conf |
 NCAA |
Conf. |
NCAA |
| 2024-25 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
2nd |
4th |
3rd |
16th |
2nd |
19th |
| 2023-24 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
2nd |
10th |
1st |
14th |
3rd |
20th |
| Â 2022-23 |
Wisconsin  |
1st |
1st |
5th |
1st |
16th |
4th |
16th |
| Â 2021-22 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
2nd |
11th |
5th |
T-15th |
3rd |
T-25th |
| Â 2020-21 |
 Wisconsin |
1st |
-- |
18th |
8th |
DNS |
9th |
DNS |
| Â 2019-20 |
 Wisconsin |
1st |
5th |
18th |
7th |
NM |
NM |
NM |
| Â 2018-19 |
 Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
8th |
3rd |
4th |
10th |
18th |
| Â 2017-18 |
 Wisconsin |
3rd |
3rd |
Ind. |
5th |
45th |
9th |
T27th |
| Â 2016-17 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
8th |
3rd |
T58th |
4th |
DNS |
| Â 2015-16 |
Wisconsin |
8th |
6th |
DNQ |
2nd |
T20th |
8th |
T18th |
| Â 2014-15 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
10th |
10th |
T4th |
8th |
T74th |
| 2013-14 |
Wisconsin |
3rd |
2nd |
9th |
1st |
11th |
1st |
T9th |
| 2012-13 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
2nd |
|
|
|
|
| 2011-12 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
1st |
|
|
|
|
| 2010-11 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
3rd |
|
|
|
|
| 2009-10 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
7th |
|
|
|
|
| 2008-09 |
Wisconsin |
1st |
1st |
4th |
|
|
|
|
| 2007-08 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
2nd |
2nd |
DNS |
3rd |
DNS |
| 2006-07 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
3rd |
3rd |
DNS |
3rd |
T55th |
| 2005-06 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
4th |
3rd |
16th |
3rd |
T16th |
| 2004-05 |
Iona |
1st |
2nd |
7th |
3rd |
34th |
3rd |
|
| 2003-04 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
4th |
3rd |
T29th |
3rd |
|
| 2002-03 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
10th |
3rd |
T40th |
3rd |
|
| 2001-02 |
Iona |
1st |
DNQ |
DNQ |
3rd |
DNS |
3rd |
|
| 2000-01 |
Iona |
1st |
2nd |
15th |
5th |
DNS |
5th |
|
| 1999-00 |
Iona |
1st |
1st |
9th |
2nd |
|
3rd |
|
| 1998-99 |
Iona |
1st |
3rd |
23rd |
3rd |
|
3rd |
|
| 1997-98 |
Iona |
1st |
2nd |
13th |
3rd |
|
3rd |
|
| 1996-97 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
3rd |
|
|
|
| 1995-96 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1994-95 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1993-94 |
Iona |
1st |
|
19th |
|
|
|
|
| 1992-93 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1991-92 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990-91 |
Iona |
2nd |
|
|
3rd |
|
|
|
| 1989-90 |
Iona |
4th |
|
|
8th |
|
|
|
Â
| Â Women's Results |
| Â Year |
School |
Cross Country |
Indoor Track |
Outdoor Track |
|
|
Conf |
Reg |
NCAA |
Conf |
 NCAA |
Conf. |
NCAA |
| 2023-24Â Â Â Â |
Wisconsin    |
2nd |
2nd |
22nd |
|
|
|
|
| 2022-23 |
Wisconsin |
3rd |
5th |
19th |
7th |
T-21st |
6th |
56th |
| 2021-22 |
Wisconsin |
2nd |
2nd |
12th |
5th |
-- |
2nd |
37th |
| 2020-21 |
Wisconsin |
6th |
-- |
DNQ |
6th |
DNS |
9th |
T33rd |
| 2019-20 |
Wisconsin |
2nd |
3rd |
7th |
9th |
NM |
NM |
NM |
| 2018-19 |
Wisconsin |
3rd |
2nd |
10th |
4th |
T21st |
7th |
66th |
| 2017-18 |
Wisconsin |
3rd |
3rd |
10th |
7th |
35th |
5th |
T22nd |
| 2016-17 |
Wisconsin |
6th |
3rd |
14th |
6th |
T58th |
9th |
T48th |
| 2015-16 |
Wisconsin |
5th |
4th |
DNQ |
8th |
T21st |
8th |
14th |
| 2014-15 |
Wisconsin |
2nd |
2nd |
10th |
7th |
T18th |
9th |
T15th |
| 2013-14 |
Wisconsin |
T6th |
5th |
21st |
11th |
T43rd |
10th |
DNS |
| 2012-13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2011-12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2010-11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2009-10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2008-09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2007-08 |
Iona |
1st |
11th |
|
6th |
DNS |
4th |
DNS |
| 2006-07 |
Iona |
1st |
2nd |
20th |
4th |
T69th |
5th |
DNS |
| 2005-06 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
3rd |
DNS |
4th |
DNS |
| 2004-05 |
Iona |
2nd |
|
|
4th |
DNS |
4th |
|
| 2003-04 |
Iona |
2nd |
|
|
4th |
DNS |
3rd |
|
| 2002-03 |
Iona |
2nd |
|
|
5th |
DNS |
4th |
|
| 2001-02 |
Iona |
1st |
|
|
5th |
DNS |
5th |
|
| 2000-01 |
Iona |
3rd |
|
|
6th |
DNS |
6th |
|
| 1999-00 |
Iona |
3rd |
|
|
6th |
|
6th |
|
| 1998-99 |
Iona |
3rd |
|
|
6th |
|
6th |
|
| 1997-98 |
Iona |
6th |
|
|
6th |
|
6th |
|
| 1996-97 |
Iona |
5th |
|
|
6th |
|
|
|
| 1995-96 |
Iona |
5th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1994-95 |
Iona |
6th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1993-94 |
Iona |
5th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1992-93 |
Iona |
7th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1991-92 |
Iona |
9th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990-91 |
Iona |
|
|
|
6th |
|
|
|
Â
NM = No Meet held due to COVID-19
