Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's track and field team recently had two of its members recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for their achievements in the 2025 outdoor season. Senior Yakob Ekoue was named the North Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year, while Paul Conlin received the honor of North Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year.

Ekoue demonstrated exceptional performance at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships last weekend, scoring a total of 22 points in throwing events. He secured first place in discus and took third place in both hammer and shot put. Notably, he won the NCAA discus title with a margin exceeding six meters. Earlier this season, at the WIAC Championships, Ekoue earned 26 points by winning discus and securing second place in hammer and shot put.

Paul Conlin, who has been serving as an assistant coach at UW-Eau Claire for 29 years, guided his athletes to achieve remarkable success. The throwers he coached contributed 36 out of the team's total 56 points at the NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships, where they finished second overall. Under his guidance, Adam Strouf claimed a national title in shot put while Ekoue triumphed in discus. The men's throwers from UW-Eau Claire earned six first-team All-America honors during last week's NCAA Championships.

This marks Ekoue's first time receiving this award from USTFCCCA. For Conlin, it is his second recognition; he was previously honored as women's assistant coach of the year in 2023.