NEW ORLEANS – Colorado School of Mines Cross Country Head Coach Chris Siemers was unveiled as the 2024 NCAA Division II National Men's Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon.
 
Siemers earned The Joe Vigil Award as the top men's coach in all of NCAA Division II as voted on by his peers. It marks the fifth national award of Siemers' career and follows the fourth national title in program history which capped an unbeaten season for the Orediggers. The announcement comes just days after the men of Mines climbed to the top of the NCAA podium following a thrilling, three-point upset of 2023 national champion Wingate. Siemers' national championship squad boasted six USTFCCCA All-Americans including Logan Bocovich, Loic Scomparin, Ethan Grolnic, Paul Knight, Dawson Gunn, and Jeremiah Vaille with three finishing in the top-nine and all five scorers in the top-25.
 
Additional wins for the Oredigger men in 2024 included the South Central Region Championships with 40 points, the RMAC Championships with 24 points, the Lewis Crossover with 62 points, the Ted Castaneda Classic with 34 points, and the Roadrunners Invitational with 20 points. Siemers' coaching staff includes Caleb Ulrich, Dr. Mark Husted, Dr. Chloe Gustafson, Steven Goldy, Chloe Colligan, Grant Colligan, and Max Sevick.

Mines' distance crew now turns to the indoor track & field season. Action begins Dec. 6-7 with a majority of Orediggers competing at home at the Mines Alumni Classic while a smaller contingent will head to Boston for BU's Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.
 
Keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all season long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.