Jackson, Smith Claim Women's Indoor Weekly Honors
FRISCO, Texas – Northwestern State’s Natashia Jackson and Abilene Christian’s Lonnie Smith are the Southland Conference Women’s Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday. All Southland Athletes of the Week are presented by
MidSouth Bank.
Jackson competed for her Lady Demon squad at the Pittsburg State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas, boosting her team’s score with a first and second-place finish. Smith threw for the Wildcats at the Texas Tech Classic, while finishing second overall in the weight throw.
Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week – Natashia Jackson, Northwestern State – Jr. – Houston, Texas
The junior ran the best 400-meter time in the conference this season, winning gold at the Pittsburg State Invitational last weekend. She now holds the Southland’s top marks for the 200-meter and 400-meter events this season.
Honorable Mention: Jerica Love, UIW; Alex Eykelbosch, McNeese; Ajah Criner, Central Arkansas; Megan Kirby, Abilene Christian.
Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week – Lonnie Smith, Abilene Christian – Sr. – Phoenix, Ariz.
Smith broke her Abilene Christian record in the weight throw on her second-to-last attempt Friday afternoon at the Texas Tech Classic. The Phoenix native qualified for the nine-woman final with her second-round launch of 18.24 meters (59 feet, 10.25 inches). After fouling on her third and fourth-round throws she became the first Wildcat in program history to eclipse 19 meters with a measurement of 19.01m (62-04.50). Smith's previous career best and school record of 18.95m (62-02.25) was recorded close to two years ago at Oklahoma's J.D. Martin Invitational. Her fifth-round toss additionally moved her from third to second in the final standings.
Honorable Mention: Tristyn Allen, Sam Houston State; Sarea Alexander, UIW; Tay Nance, Houston Baptist; Alanna Arvie, McNeese.
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on at least 25 percent of ballots.