FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' cross country and track and field teams have earned the Terry Crawford Women’s Division I Program of the Year Award from the United States Coaches Association, it was announced Tuesday.
The Razorbacks had the lowest combined score nationally of 18 points based on their finishes in cross country (8th), indoor track (4th) and outdoor track (6th).
It’s the first time Arkansas has won the award named in honor of Crawford — the former Tennessee and Texas women’s coach — since it was started in 2009.
BYU was second in the Crawford Award standings with 19.5 points, finishing 2nd in cross country, 8th indoors and 9th outdoors.
Last year BYU won with 18 points and Arkansas took second with 26.
“We’ve finished either second or third regularly,” Razorbacks Coach Lance Harter said in an Arkansas news release. “Now, finally, we get a chance to be on top of the rung.”
Prior to this season, the Razorbacks were second three times (2020-21, 2015-16, 2014-15) and third four times (2018-19, 2016-17, 2013-14, 2012-13).
Arkansas is the fourth women’s program to earn the Crawford Award along with Oregon (10 times), Stanford and BYU.
Harter is in his 32nd year as Arkansas’ coach and has led the Razorbacks to a combined six national championships and 43 SEC titles. He has announced he will retire after the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
“I’ve been at this business a long time, and this is a very special moment in my own personal career,” Harter said of his program earning the Crawford Award. “But especially for the University of Arkansas.”
The Razorbacks’ men’s cross country and track and field teams finished fourth in the John McDonnell Men’s Program of the Year standings. The award is named for the legendary Arkansas coach.
Arkansas has won the McDonnell Award three times, including last year.
Texas, coached by former Razorback NCAA champion Edrick Floreal, won this year’s McDonnell Award with 17 points, followed by Stanford (26), Northern Arizona (28.5) and Arkansas (34.5).