NEW ORLEANS – Sprints Coach Jessica Cousins and Distance Coach Austin Warner snatched the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field South Region men's and women's track and field assistant coach of the year awards, as announced by the USTFCCCA.
 
Coach Cousins joined the Sharks' track and field staff during the 2015 fall semester and during her short time with the team, has greatly contributed to the squad's success so far. Focusing mainly on sprints and track events, her extensive experience allowed her to work effectively with determined student-athletes. Cousins is the 2016 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field South Region Women's Assistant Track and Field Coach of the Year.
 
Her leadership efforts were reflected at the Peach Belt Conference Championships where the Sharks claimed three championships in women sprint events and two silver medals in men sprint events. Currently all athletes participating in the 2016 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships are all her pupils.
 
On the other hand, Warner just completed his second season as a Shark also with lots of success. Warner claimed the 2016 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field South Region Men's Assistant Track and Field Coach of the Year. The distance events for the Sharks were overseen and administered through Coach Warner, as he helped the team collect valuable points in the Peach Belt Conference Championships.
 
His most notable highlights were leading his student-athletes to winning two distance championships and a runner-up spot. Warner worked closely with head coach Bryan Hagopian to instruct the distance team, which brought back huge awards such as a couple of gold medals, a silver medal, and a Men's Freshman of the Year award.
 
Throughout their short stay with the Sharks' family, they have made a great impact to the development of a successful program. Their respective student-athletes made major headlines for breaking multiple institutional and personal records, setting the bar high for future prospects.