Mary Washington head coach Rod Wood was named the State Coach of the Year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association on Wednesday, while UMW senior Bradley Riester (1st team) and Christopher Newport senior Tra Benefield (2nd team) earned all-state accolades. 

The Virginia Sports Information Directors name 29 all-state teams in 16 sports each year, as well as an academic all-state squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.

Wood pieced together a magical run in his final year at the helm for the Eagles. UMW finished the year ranked No. 8 in the D3hoops.com national poll, the highest in program history, after posting a 25-6 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. He was named a finalist for the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year award. This year’s UMW team finished with a program-record for wins in a season, and advanced to the National Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament after claiming the CAC tournament championship.

Riester was named to the first team of the all-state college division team. Riester helped UMW to its greatest season ever and was also named an All-Middle Atlantic Region pick by D3Hoops.com. Riester led the CAC in scoring, netting 557 points for an 18.0 PPG average, and finished ranked second in the nation in three pointers made with 114. He closed his brilliant career ranking fifth in school history with 1,532 career points. He has been named to the All-CAC first team this winter as well.

Benefield,a second team all-state selection, helped lead Christopher Newport to a 19-9 record this season and a trip to the CAC Championship game. He also earned All-Region honors from D3Hoops.com. Originally from Folkston, Ga., Benefield averaged 17.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a senior this year. He completed his CNU career with 1,794 points and 749 rebounds in 106 career games. Benefield finished his career fifth on the school's all-time scoring list and eighth in all-time rebounds.