Courtesty of USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS — Tiffin senior James Ngandu was named the NCAA Division II National Athlete of the Week, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Monday afternoon.

In three races this fall, no one has been able to top Tiffin's James Ngandu — a streak that applies to seven of his last eight cross country races dating back to the start of last season. His most recent win is by far his most impressive, though, as the senior won his second consecutive GLIAC individual crown.

Ngandu beat Grand Valley State's Zach Panning — last year's fifth-place NCAA Championships finisher — to the finish line in Big Rapids, Michigan, by 16 seconds. He crossed the tape in 24:14.6 on the 8K course.

Ngandu didn't compete in the NCAA postseason last fall, but has shown himself to be a national contender on the track. Outdoors, he finished third nationally at 10,000 meters, while he was the indoor 3000-meter runner-up and was fifth at 5000 meters.

For more, click here.