NEW ORLEANS – Adams State University sophomore Sydney Gidabuday will enter the NCAA Division II Championships as the South Central Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year.

The announcement was made public by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Gidabuday’s stellar sophomore campaign includes DII’s fastest 5000m time and fourth fastest 10,000m time. The Orange, California, native will compete in both events later this week at the NCAA DII Championships in Bradenton, Florida.

Gidabuday notched his top ranked 5000m auto time at the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays in April. His time of 13:39.94 was the fastest amongst DII student-athletes at the meet and fourth overall in a field of 47 runners.

His 10,000m auto time of 29:08.28 came at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival on March 31st. It served as the top time in a field of 91 runners which included several NCAA DI competitors.

His outdoor season also features a 1500m provisional time of 3:48.58 set at the Beach Invitational on April 16th.

Gidabuday’s South Central Region award is just a week removed from earning RMAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and First Team All-RMAC in the 5000m. His efforts have helped Adams State enter the National Championships ranked seventh in the country.

The sophomore is set to compete in Thursday’s 10,000m final at approximately 7:35pm MT in Bradenton, Florida. He will follow with the 5000m final on Saturday at approximately 6:30 p.m. MT.

For any future updates on ASU Track & Field, stay connected with www.asugrizzlies.com.

Photo courtesy of ASU