NEW ORLEANS – Timarya Baynard of the No. 7 San Francisco State track & field team has been named the West Region Track Athlete of the Year, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA). Additionally, Head Coach Kendra Reimer is named the West Region Coach of the Year.
 
Baynard is ranked first nationally in the 400m with a time of 54.55 that she recorded in the first meet of the season. The sophomore is a member of the fastest 4x400 relay team in the nation, a group which logged a blistering time of 3:41.82 a few weeks ago. The San Jose, California product will compete in three events at this weekend's NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, the 200m, 400m and the 4x400.
 
"I am so proud of Timarya, she has had a great season so far and rightfully deserves this award," said Reimer. "She works really hard year-round and that is why she is able to compete at the national level this early in the season.  She is one of the most dedicated and focused student-athletes I have ever known."
 
Baynard becomes the second recipient of the West Region Athlete of the Year award in program history and first track athlete to take home the plaudit. Tiana Wills was named the West Region Field Athlete of the Year in 2014.
 
This is Reimer's second West Region Coach of the Year award at SF State and fourth overall in her career. Under her tutelage, the Gators broke 11 program records and posted ten top-40 NCAA Division II Descending Order List marks this season, including top times in the 4x400 and the 400m.
 
"All of the awards and honors can be attributed to great assistant coaches and having dedicated athletes on this team," continued Reimer. "It is a real honor to serve as the Head Coach to such a great staff and an outstanding group of young women."
 
SF State wraps up the indoor campaign this weekend in Pittsburg, Kansas at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, which kicks off on March 9 at 8 a.m. PST.