NEW ORLEANS – Texas State’s Abigail Parra and App State’s Lilly Nichols have earned recognition as the Sun Belt Women’s Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week for their performances over the last week. 

Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Abigail Parra, Texas State
(Sr. | Distance | Buda, Texas) 

Texas State senior distance runner Abigail Parra captured the women’s mile title this past weekend at the Charlie Thomas Invitational, clocking a 4:40.41 to break her own Texas State program record which she set last indoor season. Competing against athletes from the SEC, Big 12 and ACC, her performance currently stands as the fastest mile time in the Sun Belt.

Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Lilly Nichols, App State
(So. | Pole Vault | Broomfield, Colo.)

App State sophomore Lilly Nichols reset her own App State program and Sun Belt regular season women’s indoor pole vault record on Saturday at the Doc Hale VT Meet in Blacksburg, Va. Nichols recorded a clearance of 4.27m/14-0, placing sixth in Saturday’s competition. She surpassed her previous record of 4.26m/13-11.75, which she set in her collegiate debut on Jan. 17, 2025, also in Blacksburg, Va. Nichols currently leads the Sun Belt and ranks fifth in the NCAA Southeast Region as well as 29th nationally in the women’s pole vault.

2026 Sun Belt Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Emme Bates, Southern Miss
Week 2 – Abigail Parra, Texas State
Week 3 – Isabelle Russell, Louisiana
Week 4 – Abigail Parra, Texas State

2026 Sun Belt Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Zayna Fray, Georgia State
Week 2 – Melanie Duron, Texas State
Week 3 – Alaysha Veal, Louisiana
Week 4 – Lilly Nichols, App State