Eastern Illinois fifth-year distance runner
Dustin Hatfield has been named the Panthers 2022-23 Male Athletic Director's Award Winner after wrapping up an award-winning career in both cross country and track.
This past year he was named the Ohio Valley Conference Runner of the Year in cross country helping lead the Panthers to a third straight OVC Championship as he placed second in the championship meet. Hatfield would have his final track seasons cut short due to injury.
During the 2021-22 school year he had one of the best overall distance running seasons in school history as he was named the OVC Male Athlete of the Year after winning OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year in the fall and then Male Track Athlete of the Year in both indoor and outdoor track.
As a cross country runner, he was a four-time OVC first-team selection and earned second team honors once. He was the OVC Freshman of the Year and twice earned All-Region honors. In 2021 Hatfield advanced to the NCAA Cross Country National Championships becoming just the third runner in program history to accomplish that feat at the NCAA Division I level.
On the track he was a seven-time distance event champion between the indoor and outdoor disciplines. He advanced to the NCAA West Regional in outdoor track twice in the 10,000-meter run.
Hatfield closed his career setting four school records in cross country and track & field and was part of six OVC championship teams
Hatfield was one of three candidates for the award joined on the list by Ryan Ignoffo from baseball and
Riley Baker from track & field.
EIU is releasing its end-of-year awards this week with the final award, the Female Athletic Director's Award, set for Friday. Giovana Larregui Lopez from volleyball was named the EIU Female Newcomer of the Year on Monday. Ryan Ignoffo (baseball) and Olivia Price (softball) were named the Male & Female Athletes of the Year on Tuesday and Wednesday.
