KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, in association with the Cliff Harris Award, announced that Tristin Waugh of Grand View (Iowa) was named the 2023 Cliff Harris Award recipient. Waugh, a defensive end for the Vikings, was selected for the award as the top defensive player in the NAIA in an announcement made earlier on Monday at halftime of the 2023 NAIA Football National Championship, live on the ESPN3 broadcast.

Waugh is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in sacks with 15 on the year, leading a Grand View defensive front that led the NAIA allowing just 7.3 points per game. The senior accounted for nearly half of the 37 sacks on the year for the Vikings as he led the nation in total yards lost off sacks with 100.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference Defensive player of the year is a former two-time NJCAA All-America selection and was an honorable mention to the NAIA All-America team a season ago.

Twice in 2023, Waugh recorded three sacks in a game, beginning with the first game of the season in a 24-7 win over conference foe, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). Then, on October 28 against Peru State (Neb.), he repeated that performance. Over the course of the year, he registered 48 total tackles, 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

The Cliff Harris Award is awarded annually to the top defensive player in small college athletics, including NCAA Divisions II and III as well as the NAIA recipient. Named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award is presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club in coordination with a selection committee from each division or association. The NAIA recipient was selected by the NAIA All-America Selection Committee, made up of head coaches throughout the nation.