Halsell is GNAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University's Kelven "Pee Wee" Halsell has been voted the 2009 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Halsell directed the Vikings to a GNAC title and a national-qualifying second-place finish at the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships.

The award is the fourth men's cross country GNAC Coach-of the Year award for Halsell, who was also selected in 2003, 2006 and 2007.

In all, Halsell, who is in his 23rd year at Western, has won eight GNAC Coach of the Year awards including two in men's indoor track and field (2005, 2006), one in men's outdoor track and field (2005) and one in women's outdoor track and field (2009).

Halsell will be traveling to Evansville, Indiana, this week with both his men's and women's teams to compete in Saturday's NCAA II national meet. Western's men are ranked sixth nationally and the Viking women 11th.