Collinsworth and Taylor receive regional accolades

PROVO, Utah — The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced the Divison I regional awards for the 2017 indoor season early Monday morning, which included senior Shea Collinsworth and BYU women’s track and field assistant coach Diljeet Taylor.

Collinsworth was announced as the women’s athlete of the year and Taylor was announced as women’s assistant coach of the year, both for the Mountain Region.

Collinsworth currently has the No. 2 fastest time in the nation for the 800-meter run with a time of 2:01.42. She also holds the No. 16 fastest time in the nation for the mile run with a BYU record-breaking time of 4:35.76. Collinsworth currently holds the fastest times for BYU in the mile, 800-meter and 400-meter.

Collinsworth ran the third leg of the race for the women’s DMR team at the Alex Wilson Invitational to help lead them to hold the No. 3 fastest time in the nation of 10:56.93.

Taylor said working with Collinsworth has been a dream come true for her as a coach and she is proud of what she has accomplished. 

"She’s so gifted and talented," Taylor said. "Her work ethic is phenomenal. It really is a dream come true for a coach. You get athletes like Shea once in a lifetime and I’m fortunate I got it my first year here." 

Taylor helped coach Collinsworth to her record-breaking times as her first year as a BYU assistant coach. 

Collinsworth said she is grateful for Taylor and what she brings to the team. 

"She came in my senior year and she’s been amazing," Collinsworth said. "She’s helped me not only as a runner, but also as a person. Overall, this year has been a lot easier with her. Her workouts are great and her attitude and energy that she brings to the team is amazing."