Clinger and Eyestone Earn Yearly Big 12 Awards

IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference announced Casey Clinger as Scholar Athlete of the Year with head coach Ed Eyestone as Men's Coach of the Year Thursday afternoon as part of the annual conference cross country awards. 

Casey Clinger - Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year

Clinger earned the annual award with a 3.83 GPA. The captain finished off his cross country eligibility with a sixth overall placement at the 2024 NCAA Championships, finishing the 10k course in 28:45.1. 

Here’s the moment Casey Clinger learned @BYUTFXC won the men’s team title at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Epic.#NCAAXC pic.twitter.com/TngmYK9ALO

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) November 23, 2024

The senior from American Fork, Utah competed in six meets for the Cougars, placing in the top-six in each race. Clinger led BYU across the line at the 2024 Big 12 Championships, finishing the 8k race in 22:09.2. 

"I think Casey Clinger is the very definition of the term scholar athlete," said Eyestone. "He personifies the very hard working, conscientious person who both in the classroom and on the cross country course works hard, has grit, has determination and gets the job done. The fact that he's able to do this well while starting MBA school is just a testament to the high caliber scholar athlete that he is."

Ed Eyestone - Big 12 Men's Coach of the Year

Eyestone earns the annual conference award coaching his team to an undefeated season. The culmination of what Eyestone deems "The Build" was a 124-point win by his men at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Four All American performances were run by Eyestone's Cougars: Clinger (sixth), Creed Thompson (12th), Joey Nokes (31) and Lucas Bons (39th). 

In his 25th year as a head coach, Eyestone also coached the Cougars to their first Big 12 Cross Country title on Nov. 1. BYU took the win over Oklahoma State, the defending NCAA champions, with 41 points. 

Eyestone also received the NCAA Mountain Region Coach of the Year as well as the NCAA National Men's Coach of the Year. 

“I love Coach Eyestone," said Clinger. "He is a perfect example of what a man should be. He is a world-class coach who pushes us to be the best. He is also a true friend. We have great memories out on the cross country course, but we also have amazing memories playing bocce ball and guitar together. He loves his athletes, and they leave BYU better runners and better men. I’m blessed to have such an incredible mentor and enjoy such a genuine friendship.”