Three student-athletes, two coaches earn regional honors
 
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Three Atlantic Coast Conference outdoor track and field student athletes and two coaches were recognized as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced regional award winners for the 2018 season.
 
Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Each of the honored athletes and coaches are slated to participate in the 2018 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships set Wednesday through Saturday of next week (June 6-9) in Eugene, Oregon.
 
Syracuse senior Justyn Knight repeated as the top Northeast Region athlete for men’s track, while North Carolina senior Kenny Selmon was honored as the top Southeast Region’s competitor. Virginia Tech freshman pole vaulter Lisa Gunnarsson earned Southeast Region honors for women’s field..
 
Meanwhile, Syracuse’s Chris Fox claimed Northeast Region men’s coach of the year honors, while Virginia Tech’s Ben Thomas repeated as the Southeast men’s assistant coach of the year.

A capsule look at each of the ACC’s 2018 USTFCCCA honorees:
 
NORTHEAST REGION MEN’S TRACK– Justyn Knight – Syracuse
Knight, a senior from Vaughan, Ontario, is ranked first nationally at 5000 meters (13:17.51) and second nationally at 1500 meters (3:36.07). His time in the 1500 is the seventh fastest run by a collegian during a collegiate season, while his time in the 5000 sits ninth all-time.
 
SOUTHEAST REGION MEN’S TRACK– Kenny Selmon – North Carolina
Selmon, a senior from Mableton, Georgia, is ranked second nationally in the 400 hurdles with a time of 48.91. He went sub-49 three times this season in the event and is the reigning ACC champ in the event. Selmon also anchored the Tar Heels to a victory in the 4×400 at the ACC Championships in 45.30.
 
SOUTHEAST REGION WOMEN’S FIELD – Lisa Gunnarsson – Virginia Tech
Gunnarsson, a freshman from Stockholm, Sweden, ranked second nationally in the pole vault with a mark of 4.60m (15-1). She was the runner-up at the ACC Championships, while also finishing second at the Texas Relays. Her mark of 4.18m (13-8½) led the NCAA East Prelims.
 
NORTHEAST REGION MEN’S HEAD COACH – Chris Fox – Syracuse
Fox, in his 12th year at Syracuse, led the Orange to the top ranking in the Northeast Region and a second-place finish at the Atlantic Coast Conference championships, the best finish in program history. Syracuse qualified six to the finals site of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, second-most in program history.
 
SOUTHEAST REGION MEN’S ASSISTANT – Ben Thomas – Virginia Tech
Thomas’ distance crew scored 50 of the team’s 105½ points at the ACC Championships with titles in the 1500 and 10k. Six participated at the NCAA East prelim and 1500-meter runners Vincen Ciattei and Diego Zarate advanced to Eugene. Thomas is in his 17th year at Virginia Tech.

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