KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Southwest Baptist's Corey McElhaney has been selected as men's MIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year in a vote by his peers.

McElhaney, in just his second season leading the Bearcats, coached SBU to its first MIAA cross country championship. The squad had been the league runner-up in the previous two seasons.

What is particularly noteworthy about McElhaney's second season, is that he lead his Bearcats to SBU's first-ever men's cross country championship without All-American (in cross country and indoor track) Michael Pierce, who is a medical redshirt this season.

The 16th-ranked Bearcats had three juniors in the top 10 leading the way to the title. Shawn Etzenhouser was SBU's top finisher, placing fourth overall.

This is McElhaney's first MIAA Coach of the Year award and the second in three seasons for an SBU cross country coach. Jeff DeLong claimed the award in 2006 -- his final season at the school.

SBU's Director of Athletics, Brent Good, commented on the award given to McElhaney.

"I'm extremely proud of Coach McElhaney's recognition as the MIAA's Coach of the Year. It's evident we hired the right person two years ago. The fact that he has received this award, in his 2nd year leading the program, speaks volumes."