BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference announced its 2023 postseason awards and tabbed Dean Casey as the Men’s Freshman Runner of the Year.
“I’m really proud of how adaptive Dean has been to come from another country as a true freshman and mesh with our training style and his teammates,” head coach Sean Carlson said. “He has a bright future and is on track to be one of the top runners in the NCAA.”
A native of Ennis, Ireland, Casey is the first Volunteer to win SEC Men’s Freshman of the Year since the award was introduced in 2000.
He made his Tennessee cross country debut at the XC23 Pre-Nationals meet where he finished eighth overall. His performance at Pre-Nationals earned him SEC Freshman of the Week accolades.
At the SEC Championships, Casey was the highest-finishing freshman in the men’s race, while also placing 11th among all competitors. The rookie earned All-SEC second-team and freshman-team recognition with his placement at the conference meet.
Casey followed up his SEC race by earning NCAA All-Region accolades as he helped guide the Vols to a second consecutive South Region title and a return to the NCAA Championships. He captured all-region by finishing 11th overall.
“I’m really proud of how adaptive Dean has been to come from another country as a true freshman and mesh with our training style and his teammates,” head coach Sean Carlson said. “He has a bright future and is on track to be one of the top runners in the NCAA.”
A native of Ennis, Ireland, Casey is the first Volunteer to win SEC Men’s Freshman of the Year since the award was introduced in 2000.
He made his Tennessee cross country debut at the XC23 Pre-Nationals meet where he finished eighth overall. His performance at Pre-Nationals earned him SEC Freshman of the Week accolades.
At the SEC Championships, Casey was the highest-finishing freshman in the men’s race, while also placing 11th among all competitors. The rookie earned All-SEC second-team and freshman-team recognition with his placement at the conference meet.
Casey followed up his SEC race by earning NCAA All-Region accolades as he helped guide the Vols to a second consecutive South Region title and a return to the NCAA Championships. He captured all-region by finishing 11th overall.
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