Colin Young of North Central College (Ill.) has been named the 1999 NCAA Division III Midwest Region Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year. The United States Track Coaches Association and Mondo Surfacing selects and presents the award annually to the top athlete in each of the eight NCAA Division III men's cross country regions. The announcement is held in conjunction with the NCAA Division III Championship, which is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Nov. 20.

Young, a senior from Naperville, Ill. won the individual title at the Midwest Regional on Nov. 13 to help North Central College qualify as a team entrant for the NCAA Division III Championship. The exercise science major won the Midwest Regional title with a time of 24:53 on the 8,000-meter course. The Cardinals won the 28-team Midwest Regional with 53 points. Earlier this year, Young won the individual title at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Conference Championship. Young's performance helped the Cardinals to their 26th straight conference title.

Last year, Young helped North Central College its 11th first-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship by finishing 15th with a time of 25:28. Young's performance gave him All-America accolades.