Joseph Named Regional Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year

AMES, Iowa – Rachel Joseph has been named the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, announced Friday.

The sprinter provides for the sweep as Joseph also earned USTFCCCA Regional Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.

Joseph has shown she is not only one of the best at Iowa State but also in the nation as she earned First Team All-America in the outdoor 400m, becoming the first to earn First Team All-America in the event since Olympic gold medalist Nawal El Moutawakel in 1984.

Joseph also anchored the 4x400m to the squad's first national appearance since 1982 with a 49.77 split, the only sub-50 split at either NCAA regional. These two All-America honors go along with her First Team All-America honor earned in the indoor 400m.

Also this outdoor season, the junior hit an all-time best of 50.66 at NCAA West Prelims to advance to her fourth-straight nationals. That time held as the second fastest through both regions to earn the No. 2 seed.

The Texas native swept the Big 12 indoor and outdoor 400m titles this year, becoming one of 10 women to do so in league history.

Joseph has gone sub-51 in the 400m five time this outdoor season alone, and now holds the top 18 400m times in Iowa State history. While outdoors, Joseph reset her 400m and 200m school record, and anchored the 4x400m to go sub-3:30 for the first time. Joseph has six school records to her name including indoor and relays.

She closes the NCAA season as a five-time All-American through her three seasons. Joseph now will move on to the national ballot.