SEWARD, Neb. – On the heels of his second career national title in the shot put, junior Zach Lurz has been named the NAIA National Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, as chosen by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In late February the USTFCCCA tabbed the Chadron, Neb., native as its Midwest regional field athlete of the year. Both awards are based on 2016 indoor accomplishments only.
The key figure in last year’s NAIA team outdoor national title, Lurz keeps adding to his impressive resume. The five-time GPAC titlist defended his 2015 indoor shot put national championship with his mark of 57’ 7 ¾” at last week’s NAIA indoor meet in Johnson City, Tenn. He also placed third in the weight throw, giving him 16 total team points at the national championships, where Concordia placed third. Lurz’s conference title in the shot put also helped the Bulldogs to a third-place GPAC finish.
Lurz owns Concordia school records in both the indoor and outdoor shot put. He was the 2015 NAIA Outdoor National Championships Most Valuable Performer of the Meet. Lurz is now an eight-time All-American. On Jan. 27 he was named the NAIA Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.