Hansen Tabbed as ACC Men’s Cross Country Performer of the Year
12/3/2025 12:05:00 PM | Cross Country
The Hendersonville, N.C., native is the first Demon Deacon to earn the honor in program history.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After an extraordinary season that ended with a national runner-up finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Wake Forest junior Rocky Hansen was named the ACC Men's Cross Country Performer of the Year, as announced by the league on Wednesday afternoon.
This marks the first time that a Demon Deacon has earned the honor in program history. The Demon Deacons have also now earned an ACC yearly award in each of the last four seasons, with Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes being named ACC Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Charlie Sprott claiming ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023 and JoJo Jourdon also taking home ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2024.
Additionally, this marks the Hendersonville, N.C., native's second yearly honor of the season after being named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Athlete of the Year last week.
"I'm extremely grateful to be named this year's ACC Men's Performer of the Year," Hansen said. "This is only possible because of the coaching staff, my teammates and the support of Deacon Nation!"
Hansen earned the ACC Men's Performer of the Year honor following a historic junior campaign, highlighted by him becoming the first Demon Deacon to take home the ACC Individual Championship since 2001, as well as claiming the NCAA Southeast Region Individual Championship.
Overall, Hansen was one of two Deacs to earn All-American, All-Region, and All-ACC honors this season.
"Rocky's season has been nothing short of remarkable," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes said. "Earning ACC Performer of the Year is a testament to his discipline, focus and day-to-day commitment to being great. In 28 years of coaching, I've never had an athlete more intentional with his goals or more consistent in the way he pursues them. Rocky is the perfect example of what a student-athlete at Wake Forest should be – hardworking, humble, and driven. We couldn't be prouder of what he's accomplished this year.
Along with claiming three individual titles and a national runner-up finish, Hansen also set multiple course records during his victories at the ACC Cross Country Championships and the Panorama Farms Invitational. Notably, Hansen broke the previous record at the E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park cross country course by 40 seconds during the ACC Championships.
Hansen will look to continue to carry his excellent form this upcoming Saturday, Dec. 6, as he is set to compete at the USATF Cross Country Championships in Portland, Ore. in hopes of qualifying for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held on January 10, 2026 in Tallahassee, Fla.
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This marks the first time that a Demon Deacon has earned the honor in program history. The Demon Deacons have also now earned an ACC yearly award in each of the last four seasons, with Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes being named ACC Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024, Charlie Sprott claiming ACC Freshman of the Year in 2023 and JoJo Jourdon also taking home ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2024.
Additionally, this marks the Hendersonville, N.C., native's second yearly honor of the season after being named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Men's Athlete of the Year last week.
"I'm extremely grateful to be named this year's ACC Men's Performer of the Year," Hansen said. "This is only possible because of the coaching staff, my teammates and the support of Deacon Nation!"
Hansen earned the ACC Men's Performer of the Year honor following a historic junior campaign, highlighted by him becoming the first Demon Deacon to take home the ACC Individual Championship since 2001, as well as claiming the NCAA Southeast Region Individual Championship.
Overall, Hansen was one of two Deacs to earn All-American, All-Region, and All-ACC honors this season.
"Rocky's season has been nothing short of remarkable," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes said. "Earning ACC Performer of the Year is a testament to his discipline, focus and day-to-day commitment to being great. In 28 years of coaching, I've never had an athlete more intentional with his goals or more consistent in the way he pursues them. Rocky is the perfect example of what a student-athlete at Wake Forest should be – hardworking, humble, and driven. We couldn't be prouder of what he's accomplished this year.
Along with claiming three individual titles and a national runner-up finish, Hansen also set multiple course records during his victories at the ACC Cross Country Championships and the Panorama Farms Invitational. Notably, Hansen broke the previous record at the E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park cross country course by 40 seconds during the ACC Championships.
Hansen will look to continue to carry his excellent form this upcoming Saturday, Dec. 6, as he is set to compete at the USATF Cross Country Championships in Portland, Ore. in hopes of qualifying for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
The World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be held on January 10, 2026 in Tallahassee, Fla.
Follow the Demon Deacons
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #GoDeacs
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