The accolades keep rolling in for Edward Cheserek, as the USA Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named the Oregon distance star the Division I men’s cross country National Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. It was just the second time since the award’s birth in 1994 that an Oregon cross country runner has been named the athlete of the year, as Galen Rupp took home the honors in 2008.

Cheserek became the first freshman in Oregon history to win the NCAA cross country individual title after a decisive win this past Saturday at Terre Haute, Ind. Behind Cheserek’s performance, the Ducks were able to net a fifth-place team finish.

Cheserek won four of the six races he entered this season, including victories at the Pac-12 championships, West Region championships and the NCAA championships. Other honors Cheserek earned include the Pac-12 Athlete of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and first-team all conference.

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