BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference unveiled its women's outdoor track & field individual award winners, following the 2026 season. Awards were determined by the conference's head coaches via an online vote.
Lee garnered half the awards with two, while Mississippi College and West Alabama took home one each. Lee’s Aria Hawkins was recognized as Track Athlete of the Year and Caleb Morgan was tabbed Coach of the Year. Mississippi College’s Rebekah Zweerink was picked to be Field Athlete of the Year, while West Alabama’s J’Da Williams was named Freshman of the Year.
- Hawkins is the sixth Lady Flame to receive track honors. With a dominant performance capturing gold in three events at the GSC Championships, Hawkins won both Most Outstanding Overall Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer.
- Zweerink is the first Lady Choctaw to claim top field athlete since 2023 and fourth all-time. She was the runner-up in discus at the GSC Championships with a school record mark of 44.87m, as well as a finalist in shot put and hammer throw.
- Williams is the first-ever Freshman of the Year for West Alabama. She medaled three times at the GSC Championships including wins in the 100m and 4x100m relay, as well as third in the 200m.
- Morgan was tabbed Coach of the Year for the ninth consecutive season to coincide with the ninth-straight GSC title for the Lady Flames.
The GSC also announced its All-GSC performers for the 2026 season. Honorees were determined based on their finish during the GSC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The women's list is available
here.
2026 GSC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Yearly Awards
Track Athlete of the Year: Aria Hawkins, Lee
Field Athlete of the Year: Rebekah Zweerink, Mississippi College
Freshman Athlete of the Year: J’Da Williams, West Alabama
Coach Athlete of the Year: Caleb Morgan, Lee
All-GSC Performers (pdf)