BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Lee tops both the men’s and women’s standings as the 2026 Gulf South Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships began Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala.
The Lady Flames dominated the first day of competition, amassing 84 points, winning three of six events and collected 11 medals, highlighted by two event sweeps. As a result, Lee. Heading into the final day, UAH sits in second with 42 points, while Montevallo is in third with 29 points.
The Flames stand atop the men’s leaderboard with 64 points, winning three of five events on day one. UAH is in second as it heads into day two with 43 points, while Montevallo narrowly trails in third with 37 points.
DAY 1 RESULTS (PDF)
For the fourth consecutive season, Lee’s Brynn Depinet won the women’s pole vault and set GSC Championship record. The senior cleared 3.85m (12’ 7.5”) in her third and final attempt, surpassing the previous mark of 3.80, which she set in 2024.
Lee’s Aria Hawkins won the women’s 5000 as she clocked a time of 17:50.27. The Lady Flames swept the event as Ava Sparks (17:50.71) and Capucine Cureau (17:51.01) followed.
UAH dominated the women’s long jump as it had four of the top five finishers. The Chargers were led by Jadlyn Debardlabon as she jumped 5.74m (18’ 10”), while teammate Caroline Sanders placed third (5.54m). Lee’s Aubrey Anderson finished second (5.61m).
In the thrower’s circle, Gracie Waite from Lee won the women’s shot put with a toss of 13.88m (45’ 6.5”). Teammate Samara Brinks was third (12.57m) with Montevallo’s Cesleigh Martin taking second (12.72m).
UAH’s Hekla Magnusdottir won the women’s pentathlon and set a GSC Championship record, logging 3,675 points. The freshman was among the top three in three events, including the shot put, which she won with a record toss of 12.13m (39’ 9.75”). Magnusdottir is the first Charger ever to win the event.
Mississippi College won the women’s distance medley relay with a time of 11:39.65. It marks the first since 2021 the Lady Choctaws have won the event, breaking a four-year streak previously held by Lee. Meanwhile, the West Alabama women scored the program’s first-ever points at the GSC Championships, as the Tigers placed fourth in the DMR.
In the men’s 5000, Lee dominated with five of the top six finishers. Edimo Nintereste won the event with a time of 14:35.08, edging out teammate Tucker Wright by one-thousandths of second. Lee completed the event sweep as Kylan Boulanger (14:46.17) took third.
The Flames also won the men’s distance medley by nearly 11 seconds as it posted a time of 9:44.24. The performance was also Lee’s fastest-ever time in the event during the GSC Championships, shattering its 2024 mark of 9:58.60.
UAH’s Malik Turner won the men’s long jump. The senior leaped 6.95m (22’ 9.75”), while Montevallo’s Jeremiah Fails (6.74m) and Corey Perkins (6.72m) placed second and third respectively.
Lee freshman Shaw Helfrich won the men’s pole vault as he cleared 4.80m (15’ 9”). UAH’s Ben Rouse finished second (4.70m) and Montevallo’s Alonzo Abara was third (4.60m).
In the shot put, Dedric Hicks made history becoming the first-ever West Alabama athlete—men or female—to medal and win an event at the GSC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The senior claimed the top step of the podium with a toss of 17.48m (57’ 4.25”), good for third best in meet history.
Mississippi College’s Jake McMillan leads the men’s heptathlon with 2,770 points after four events in the first day of competition. McMillian is followed by a tandem of Lee competitors in Helfrich (2,676 points) and Cameron Stine (2,582 points). The heptathletes will compete in 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000-meter race tomorrow before crowning a champion.
The final day of the GSC Indoor Track & Field Championship is set to begin 9:00 am CT tomorrow. Coverage can be streamed link on FloCollege and is available online or through FloSports app your mobile devices. For more information and links, visit championship central.
Women’s Team Standings (after 6 events)
1. Lee - 92 points
2. UAH - 67 points
3. Montevallo - 32 points
4. Mississippi College - 19.5 points
5. Trevecca Nazarene - 11.5 points
6. West Alabama - 5 points
7. Christian Brothers - 4 points
Men’s Team Standings (after 5 events)
1. Lee - 64 pts
2.. UAH - 43 pts
3. Montevallo - 37 pts
4. Mississippi College - 25 pts
5. West Alabama - 18 pts
6. Christian Brothers - 5 pts
7. Trevecca Nazarene - 2 pts