Robert Cervenka, who has coached the Chaparrals' men's track and field program to three consecutive national championships, has been named the USTFCCCA men's track and field coach of the year, the association announced this week.
 
The Chaps won last week's NJCAA Division III title in Utica, N.Y., with 144.5 points, 34 more than runner-up Mineral Area. COD produced five individual champions — Noah Mack, 100 and 200; Nicholas Keeling, 5000; Sheldon Powell, 3000 steeplechase, and Jack Sauder, pole vault. The Chaps also won the 4 x 100 relay (Derek Erdman, Gabriel Parker, Graham McAninch and Mack) and the 4 x 800 relay (Erdman, Randy Almarales, Sebastian Esparza and Anthony Eddy).
 
This is the third national men's coach of the year honor for Cervenka, who also was named this past fall's men's cross country coach of the year. He also was the 2021 and 2022 women's track and field coach of the year.