LEXINGTON, Va. — Washington and Lee head coach Brandon Spalding has been named the 2025 NCAA Division III South Region Coach of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced following the conclusion of the collegiate cross country season last week.

The honor comes as Spalding, along with his staff Brandon Uhl and Sarah Hollen, completes one of the most successful seasons in program history, guiding the Generals to both conference and regional titles along with a top-20 finish on the national stage.

Spalding, in his 13th year leading the Generals, directed W&L to the NCAA South Region Championship with a dominant 39-point performance, securing the program's second regional crown and first since 1995. One week later, Washington and Lee placed 20th at the NCAA Division III Championships in Spartanburg, S.C., marking the team's best national finish.

The regional coaching award follows Spalding's selection as the 2025 ODAC Coach of the Year, earned after the Generals rolled to the ODAC Championship with 27 points behind a commanding 1–2 finish and five scorers inside the top 11. W&L entered the postseason with eight All-ODAC honorees and six All-Region selections, setting a program record for both awards.

Spalding's 2025 squad has been defined by depth, consistency, and steady progression. Washington and Lee placed inside the top five in six major invitationals, including third-place efforts at the Virginia Tech Invitational and the NCAA Division III National Preview, a fourth-place performance at the Paul Short Run, and a perfect 15-point sweep at the Hornet Harrier. The Generals closed the regular season with a strong third-place showing at the Roanoke South Region Showdown, setting the stage for a dominant postseason run.

At the regional meet, all seven W&L runners finished inside the top 50, with six placing in the top 35 to secure the title. The performance capped a season in which the Generals emerged as one of the most balanced and competitive teams in the South. Spalding's latest honor adds to a growing list of postseason accolades for the program, which has now produced back-to-back-to-back NCAA Championship team appearances, multiple All-Region and All-Conference performers, and its highest regional finish in three decades.

Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.