MSU cross country coach Jim Stintzi was named the women’s Big Ten Cross Country Coach of the Year on Oct. 31, and he said he couldn’t have won without the dedication of his team.

“I honestly think awards like this are attributed to the people who do the work,” Stintzi said. “It honors their achievements.”

The award is his first as coach of the women’s team, but marks his third as a coach at MSU. Stintzi, who has coached the men for 18 years and the women for three, also received the honor coaching the men’s cross country teams in 1987 and 1988.

Each award has meant something different to Stintzi, but this year’s award has touched him the most, he said.

“One of those years we moved from the bottom of the Big Ten to fourth place and the next year up to second place, but I’m most excited about this because the team won the Big Ten Championship,” Stintzi said.

Senior co-captain Ann Somerville said the team may deserve partial credit, but said it couldn’t do it without Stintzi.

“He has a ton of experience, and he’s an amazing coach,” she said. “I feel that I can go to him about our running and other aspects about my life that affect my running.”

Sophomore co-captain Michelle Carson also said Stintzi may be a bit modest, but he deserves most of the credit.

“Obviously you have to have the runners to do well,” she said. “But we are running the way we are because of how he trains us.

Men’s team freshman Chris Toloff said he is looking forward to a college running career with Stintzi at the helm.

“He’s got good strategies and good philosophies,” Toloff said. “I’m planning on him doing great things with my running.”

A total of five women runners were named to All-Big Ten teams. Somerville, Carson and sophomore Jamie Krzyminski were named to the All-Big Ten first team, marking the first time in MSU history that three Spartans have claimed first-team honors.

Freshman Katie Anderson and sophomore Cindy Durocher made the All-Big Ten second team.

“They are all good athletes and incredibly coachable,” Stintzi said. “It’s attributed to their work ethic.”

The team’s next hurdle is Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind., at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship.