The U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2026 outdoor track & field Regional Athletes and Coaches of the Year recipients, among which four Gulf South Conference names were recognized.

For the South Region, the association named Lee’s Stephen Clark the men’s Track Athlete of the Year, while Lee’s Aria Hawkins won the women’s award. Mississippi College’s Jake McMillan collected men’s Field Athlete of the Year honors, while Lee’s Caleb Morgan took home both the men’s and women’s Coach of the Year accolades.

OFFICIAL RELEASE

Clark won the steeplechase at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, using a 59.7 final 400 meters to get the job done. Earlier in the season, Clark topped that event podium at the GSC Championships and finished runner-up in the 1500 meters at the same meet.

Hawkins won the 1500 meters and finished fourth in the 5000 meters at the NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, contributing 15 points to Lee (Tenn.)’s 20-point total. Earlier in the season, Hawkins starred at the GSC Championships, winning the 1500, 5000 and 10,000.

McMillan starred at the GSC Outdoor Championships, winning the decathlon with a program and conference record of 6974 points. Just a few weeks later, McMillan earned Second-Team All-America honors in the multi when he finished 12th in Emporia, Kansas.

Morgan led the Lee to a pair of team titles at the GSC Outdoor Championships as the men finished with 214 points, while women posted 257.5 points. At the the 2026 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, the Lady Flames placed 13th while the Flames finished 20th.