Tulsa - Two days after his team won the NCAA cross country championship, Oklahoma State cross country coach Dave Smith has been named the National Coach of the Year.

The award was announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Wednesday.

It's the third coaching award for Smith this season. He's also earned the Roy Griak Midwest Region Coach of the Year and the Big 12 Coach of the Year.

In four years as coach at Oklahoma State, Smith has led the Cowboys to two Big 12 Championships and four NCAA Midwest Region championships.

His teams have never finished out of the top ten at the NCAA Championships.

"It's an honor to be named the National Coach of the Year, but it's more of a team award," Smith said. "It's a great testament to the guys on the team and the hard work they put in this year. I'm proud of the direction our program is heading."

"It's been an honor to train under the direction of Coach Smith," said Ryan Vail, one of eight OSU runners to be named All-American under Smith. "He's been our leader during our rise over the last four years and I'm proud that I was able to run for him."

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