NEW ORLEANS – Texas State’s Ja’Shaun Lloyd and Arkansas State’s Menachem Chen have earned recognition as the Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week for their performances to start the season. 

Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week
Ja’Shaun Lloyd, Texas State
(Fr. | Sprints | Corsicana, Texas) 

Texas State Freshman Ja’Shaun Lloyd opened the outdoor season with two first-place finishes in the 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles at the UTSA Invitational. He won the 110m hurdles in 13.62, which ranks second in the nation, before taking the 400m hurdles in 51.36, ranking eleventh nationally. Both marks lead the Sun Belt this season.

Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week
Menachem Chen, Arkansas State
(Jr. | Throws | Rishon LeZion, Israel)

Arkansas State junior thrower Menachem Chen led the Sun Belt in the men's shot put and posted the second-best distance in the men's discus throw on Saturday at the LSU Opener. The Rishon LeZion, Israel, native registered a mark of 17.91m/58-9.25 in the shot put to earn a first-place finish. It was the farthest throw by a Sun Belt athlete this season and is the third-best among athletes in the South Central Region along with the 14th-best nationally. He followed with a mark of 56.11m/184-1.00 in the discus throw and placed third in the event. It is the third-best distance in the South Central Region.

2026 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Ja’Shaun Lloyd, Texas State

2026 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Menachem Chen, Arkansas State