AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Games: March 3 - March 9, 2026
 
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Gray Albrecht, Fr., Hardin-Simmons
Gray Albrecht led the Cowboys in the 100m dash with a time of 11.18 seconds, finishing fourth at the meet. Albrecht also competed on the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams for HSU. Albrecht and the Cowboys ran the 4x100m relay in 41.87 seconds and the 4x400m relay in 3:30.

WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Phoebe Dunham, Sr., East Texas Baptist
Phoebe Dunham won the 3000m steeplechase at the Southwestern University meet with a time of 11:57.43. The senior finished 11 seconds ahead of the second-place runner, defeating eight other competitors in the race.

MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Gunner Helm, Sr., Hardin-Simmons
Hardin-Simmons senior Gunner Helm placed first in the high jump with a mark of 6-7 ½ (2.02m). Helm defeated jumpers from McMurry and Nelson University to claim the top spot at the meet.
 
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK – Skyler Skinner, Fr., East Texas Baptist
Skyler Skinner placed first in the discus at the Southwestern University meet with a throw of 123'6" (37.65m) on her third attempt. Skinner threw 18 feet farther than the second-place finisher in a field of 21 competitors.

OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES

Paul Woodard (East Texas Baptist) finished seventh in the long jump out of 20 competitors with a leap of 20'2.5" (6.16m). He was just four inches shy of third place and reached that distance on his first jump.

La'Ron Alexander (East Texas Baptist) finished fourth in the 3000-meter steeplechase out of five runners with a time of 11:18.41.

Avalon Griggs (Hardin-Simmons) led the Cowboys in the high jump, clearing 4-11 ½ (1.51m) at the Abilene Tri-College Meet.

Ruthie Valdez (Hardin-Simmons) won the 800m at the Abilene meet with a time of 2:34 for the Cowgirls while competing against McMurry and Nelson University.