Sun Belt announces Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week (Feb. 15)
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Jaylen Bacon, Arkansas State, Junior, Eastover, S.C.
Won star-studded 60-meter dash at Don Kirby Elite with time of 6.59 seconds (6.61 for altitude), the second-fastest time in the NCAA this season. The school record time moves him to a tie atop the Sun Belt list and ranks as the fourth-fastest time in the U.S. this year according to USA Track and Field. He also ran in the 200-meter dash, nearly breaking his own school record in that event with a time of 21.24 seconds, placing third overall, second among collegiate athletes.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
Cristian Ravar Ladislau, Arkansas State, Junior, Amposta, Spain
Earned a fourth place finish in the weight throw at the Don Kirby Elite with a weight throw of 20.09m (65-11.00). That throw is the third best in program history and he continues to lead the Sun Belt performance list while moving up to 44th nationally.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Ashton Lord, Georgia Southern, Senior, Douglasville, Ga.
Ashton Lord broke another school record for the 5000m event posting a time of 18:12.18 at the Samford Invite and Multi. Her time was good enough for her to take home third place in the event. Lord has continued her success from the first meet of season breaking her second school record of the year. She broke the 3000m school record at the UNCG Dual Meet and was one of three Eagles to do so on the day. Lord currently sits in sixth place in the 5000m after posting a converted time of 18:07.85 at the Wake Forest Invitational.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week
Helen Falda, UTA, Freshman, Rome, Italy
UTA freshman Helen Falda broke the school record in the pole vault for the third time in four career meets on Friday at the Dunamis College Classic II. She took first place the event by setting a new personal best with a clearance of 13 feet, 9 ¼ inches (4.20m). It is the best mark in the Sun Belt Conference this season by nearly eight inches and a new season record. Her mark ranks tied for 15th on the NCAA Indoor Qualifying List.
Athlete of the Week Archive
Men's Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 18 - Jaylen Bacon, Arkansas State
Jan. 25 - Rafael Scott, South Alabama
Feb. 1 - Hakim Montgomery, Troy
Feb. 8 - Katleho Dyoyi, South Alabama
Feb. 15 - Jaylen Bacon, Arkansas State
Women's Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 18 - Tristin Van Ord, Appalachian State
Jan. 25 - Annie Bothma, Coastal Carolina
Feb. 1 - Tramesha Hardy, Texas State
Feb. 8 - Laura Labushaigne, South Alabama
Feb. 15 - Ashton Lord, Georgia Southern
Men's Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 18 - T'Mond Johnson, Texas State
Jan. 25 - Sean Collins, South Alabama
Feb. 1 - Michael Carr, Arkansas State
Feb. 8 - Matt Weinhold, South Alabama
Feb. 15 - Cristian Ravar Ladislau, Arkansas State
Women's Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 18 - LaPorscha Wells, Georgia State
Jan. 25 - Erin Farmer, Arkansas State
Feb. 1 - Jamelia Owens, Georgia Southern
Feb. 8 - Alysiah Whittaker, Georgia State
Feb. 15 - Helen Falda, UTA