Butler sprinter Jerod Elcock was named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Men's Track Athlete of the Year for the 2022 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season.
Elcock, the sophomore sprinter from Carone, Trinidad and Tobago, finished out his career with the Grizzlies with multiple national championships on the track. Aside from winning the indoor 60 meter dash national title, Elcock added two more firsts and a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships last week in Hutchinson, KS.
Elcock was part of the Butler men's 4x100 relay team that took gold last weekend, which gave Elcock his second national title this calendar year. He ran the final leg of the relay that clocked a 39.70. He followed that up with his third national championship as he won the men's 200 meter running a wind-aided 20.45. Elcock also posted a runner-up finish in the 100 meter running a wind-aided 10.03. he scored 20.5 points in the meet helping the Grizzlies to a 5th place finish in the meet.
"Jerod has really worked hard to be in this position," commented head coach Greg Franklin. "He has committed daily to betting himself and the results came through in the biggest meets of the year and now he is a three-time NJCAA National Champion. Not many people can say that and I am really proud of him."
This year, Elcock racked up a long list of awards and honors on the track while setting new school, meet and facility records along the way.
Indoor:
National Champion- 60 meter
National Runner-up- 4x400 Relay
Region VI Track Athlete of the Meet
Region VI Runner Up- Team
Region VI Champion- 60 meter
Region VI Runner-up- 400 meter
Outdoor:
National Champion- 200 meter
National Champion- 4x100 Relay
National Runner-up- 100 meter
Region VI Track Athlete of the Meet
Region VI Runner-up- Team
Region VI Champion- 100 meter
Region VI Champion- 4x100 Relay
Region VI Runner-up- 200 meter
USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week x2
KJCCC Athlete of the Week x2
"Running at Butler has been nothing but a blessing to me," said Elcock. "My first two seasons were tough but this last year showed me why I chose Butler. This achievement means a lot and I pray that my future holds this many accomplishments."
Next year, Elcock's plan is to return to his home country of Trinidad and Tobago and represent his country in future national competitions.
