Chambana Sun

The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its regional indoor season honors for 2024. Petros Kyprianou, Director of Track, Field, and Cross Country at the University of Illinois, has been named the Midwest Region Women's Coach of the Year. This marks his second year leading the Illinois track and field programs.

"This award is clearly a reflection of a good team and staff," Kyprianou stated. "I'm grateful to be at an institution that promotes success and, most importantly, winning the right way. Our teams and every single one of our student-athletes made history since this is one of the most impressive turnarounds in history. My goal is to make sure that every Illini walks standing tall, proud of our University and history. Why not Illinois, I ask? On to the outdoor season! ILL."

Kyprianou's recognition follows a successful season where he led the Illini women to their first Big Ten Indoor title since 2013. The team scored 104 points with three Big Ten champions: Jessica McDowell in the 200m, Bara Sajdokova in high jump, and Darja Sopova in triple jump.

Nine individual women from his program qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships, achieving a 19th-place finish—their best since 2013. Five athletes were named All-Americans: Elizabeth Ndudi in long jump, Tori Thomas in pole vault, Bara Sajdokova in high jump, Darja Sopova in triple jump, and Rose Yeboah also in high jump—tying a record first set by Illinois in 1995.

Throughout the indoor season, Kyprianou coached ten school records. He was also named Women's Big Ten Coach of the Year on February 29th—the first Illini coach to win this award since Tonja Buford-Bailey in 2013. Additionally, Illinois achieved its first-ever No.1 ranking in USTFCCCA's national TFRI during this period.

Award winners were chosen by USTFCCCA member coaches following performances at both the NCAA Championships and regular season events held at The TRACK at New Balance in Boston.