The Gulf South Conference announced its Women's Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week for the 2023-24 season. This week's awards were for meets between April 8-14.
 
Track Athlete of the Week: Yakubu Balikis, Gr., Sprints, West Alabama
Balikis set a new West Alabama school record in the 100m dash at the Berry Field Day Multi’s. The graduate student won the race with a time of 11.35, recording the fastest time in the GSC and the South Region. This time also ranks as the fifth fastest in Division II. The Lagos, Nigeria, native also competed in the 200m dash, finishing third with a time of 23.58. This time leads the entire GSC and is the 12th fastest in D2. Balikis has now earned her second GSC Track Athlete of the Week award this season. 
 
Other nominees: Emily McMurry (UAH); Gioia Scopel (CBU); Haley Hall (MC); Kathrin Maurer (UWG)
 
Field Athlete of the Week: Elizabeth Hayhurst, So., Throws, Montevallo
Hayhurst recorded the best throw in the GSC this year in the javelin event, posting a throw of 42.01m at the Troy Doc Anderson Invitational & Multi meet. The sophomore set a new personal best and clinched first place. Additionally, Hayhurst surpassed a provisional mark and achieved the third-best mark in the South Region.

Other nominees: T’oni Birden (UWG); Gioia Scopel (CBU); Rashanna Thorne (MC)
 
Freshman Athlete of the Week: Kyla Ford, Fr., Throws, West Georgia
Ford won the shot put event at the Annual Alice Coachman Invite last weekend with a throw of 12.15m, marking her best performance of the outdoor season and securing sixth place in the GSC. Additionally, the freshman participated in the discus throw and hammer throw, landing marks of 29.22m and 36.11m, respectively. 

Other nominees: Katie Gates (MC) 2023-24 WEEKLY WINNERS
Track:
Mar. 6 – Lauren Wallace, Mississippi College
Mar. 20 – Yakubu Balikis, West Alabama 
Mar. 27 – Lauren Wallace, Mississippi College 
Apr. 3 – Bre Bell, Mississippi College
Apr. 10 - McKenna Cavanaugh, Lee
Apr. 17 – Yakubu Balikis, West Alabama

Field:
Mar. 6 – Emily Wolf, Montevallo
Mar. 20 – Emily Wolf, Montevallo
Mar. 27 – Jadlyn Debardlabon, Alabama Huntsville
Apr. 3 – Rashanna Thorne, Mississippi College
Apr. 10 – T’oni Birden, West Georgia
Apr. 17 – Elizabeth Hayhurst, Montevallo

Freshman:
Mar. 6 – Emily Wolf, Montevallo
Mar. 20 – Emily Wolf, Montevallo
Mar. 27 – Jadlyn Debardlabon, Alabama Huntsville
Apr. 3 – N/A
Apr. 10 – Emily Wolf, Montevallo
Apr. 17 – Kyla Ford, West Georgia