Rocky Hansen Named USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men’s Athlete of the Year
11/25/2025 4:35:00 PM | Cross Country
The Hendersonville, N.C., native is the first Demon Deacon to earn the honor since Zach Facioni in 2020.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Following an incredible 2025 season that saw him finish as national runner-up at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Wake Forest junior Rocky Hansen was named USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Athlete of the Year, as announced by the national office on Tuesday afternoon.
Hansen is now the second Demon Deacon to earn USTFCCCA Southeast Region National Athlete of the Year honors in program history, joining Zach Facioni who earned the recognition during the 2020 season.
"I'm very honored to be named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Athlete of the Year!" Hansen said. "I'm extremely blessed to work with such amazing staff and teammates here and to be surrounded by great people. I'm grateful for a healthy season and excited for what the future holds!"
"What Rocky accomplished this year is nothing short of remarkable," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes. "In my 28 years of coaching, I've never had an athlete who was more focused, disciplined and relentlessly goal-oriented. He set an incredibly high standard for himself every single day, and his runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships reflects that commitment. Rocky is the model of what a Wake Forest student-athlete should be – dedicated, driven and exceptional in every way.
The Hendersonville, N.C., native had a dominant junior campaign as he claimed three individual championships–including the NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC individual titles–as well as a win at the Panorama Farms Invitational. Additionally, Hansen set multiple course records this season at the Panorama Farms Invitational and the ACC Cross Country Championships, with his performance at the ACC Championships, breaking the previous record at the E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park course by 40 seconds.
Overall, Hansen was one of two Demon Deacons along with Angelina Perez to earn All-American, All-Region and All-ACC honors this season.
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Hansen is now the second Demon Deacon to earn USTFCCCA Southeast Region National Athlete of the Year honors in program history, joining Zach Facioni who earned the recognition during the 2020 season.
"I'm very honored to be named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Athlete of the Year!" Hansen said. "I'm extremely blessed to work with such amazing staff and teammates here and to be surrounded by great people. I'm grateful for a healthy season and excited for what the future holds!"
"What Rocky accomplished this year is nothing short of remarkable," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes. "In my 28 years of coaching, I've never had an athlete who was more focused, disciplined and relentlessly goal-oriented. He set an incredibly high standard for himself every single day, and his runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships reflects that commitment. Rocky is the model of what a Wake Forest student-athlete should be – dedicated, driven and exceptional in every way.
The Hendersonville, N.C., native had a dominant junior campaign as he claimed three individual championships–including the NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC individual titles–as well as a win at the Panorama Farms Invitational. Additionally, Hansen set multiple course records this season at the Panorama Farms Invitational and the ACC Cross Country Championships, with his performance at the ACC Championships, breaking the previous record at the E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park course by 40 seconds.
Overall, Hansen was one of two Demon Deacons along with Angelina Perez to earn All-American, All-Region and All-ACC honors this season.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
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