Petros Kyprianou: USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women’s Coach of the Year
NEW ORLEANS – In an exciting announcement that has sent ripples through the sporting community, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has honored Petros Kyprianou as the Midwest Region’s Women’s Coach of the Year for the 2025 outdoor season. This recognition comes in Kyprianou’s third season leading the women’s track and field programs at the University of Illinois, where he has demonstrated remarkable leadership and vision.
A Testament to Teamwork and Excellence
In a heartfelt statement, Kyprianou expressed gratitude for the honor, highlighting the importance of collaboration:
"I am honored to receive this award, but I could not do it alone," he said. "I want to thank everyone on my staff as they are some of the best in the country and make my job easier. My athletes are also world-class in responding to our coaching, but more importantly, they are amazing people outside of athletics. We are just scratching the surface here at Illinois and will continue to improve and compete at the national level. Why not Illinois?"
This recognition is not just a personal victory for Kyprianou; it symbolizes the revitalization of Illinois Women’s Track and Field. Under his guidance, the team achieved an impressive fifth place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships—their best result in 29 years—accumulating 29.5 points. This finish marks only the second time this century that the team has broken into the top 10, joining the impressive legacy of the 2002 team that finished 10th.
Breaking New Ground: A Historic Achievement
Kyprianou’s leadership has been instrumental in redefining team success. By leading 10 women athletes to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships across six events, he witnessed six of them emerge as All-Americans:
- Sophia Beckmon (Long Jump)
- Tacoria Humphrey (Long Jump)
- Mia Morello (Pole Vault)
- Abria Smith (Shot Put)
- Melissa Wullschleger (Heptathlon)
- Rose Yeboah (High Jump)
This remarkable feat is the highest number of All-Americans the program has seen since the 1996 team, which had 10 athletes honored.
Charting New Territory: Awards and Accolades
In addition to placing multiple athletes at the national level, Kyprianou coached Humphrey and Smith to Big Ten Champion titles, shattered five school records, and registered an impressive 41 top-10 program marks throughout the outdoor season. Notably, Kyprianou has become the first coach in the history of the program to be celebrated with the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women’s Coach of the Year award.
The recognition is decided by coaches’ votes post the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Eugene, Ore., which underscores the collective effort and performance of member schools throughout the season.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Illinois Track and Field
As Petros Kyprianou reflects on this momentous achievement, he stands at the helm of a program poised for further greatness. His insightful coaching and unwavering dedication foreshadow a bright future for Illinois Women’s Track and Field.
In a sport defined by extremes, both physical and mental, Kyprianou’s philosophy of teamwork and resilience will surely inspire future generations of athletes. Why not Illinois? Only time will tell how high this team can rise under Kyprianou’s inspiring leadership.
