JONESBORO, Ark. (2/29/24) – After an unprecedented fifth consecutive sweep of the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships, the Arkansas State track and field teams earned multiple postseason honors, the league office announced Thursday.
A-State Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Dr. Jim Patchell once again swept the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Coach of the Year honors, the 21st and 22nd of his career. The Red Wolves have won a combined 29 league crowns under his watch, with the men's team winning its 12th indoor conference title and the women capturing their ninth.
Pole vault champion Bradley Jelmert earned Men's Field Performer of the Year distinction after taking gold with a meet-record clearance of 5.62m (18-5.25). Jelmert has not lost a competition this season, and punched his ticket to the NCAA Indoor Championships back in December with a program-record mark of 5.72m (18-9.25) – a mark that stands second nationally.
Michelle Ogbemudia was named the league's Women's Newcomer of the Year after breaking her own school record to win gold in the weight throw (21.12m/69-3.5). The Plano, Texas, native also claimed bronze in the shot put with a throw of 15.90m (52-2).
Twenty athletes earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors, based on athletes' highest podium finish at the championships. Gold medalists earned first-team honors, while those winning silver and bronze received second and third-team laurels.
A combined 13 men earned all-league laurels, led by five first-teamers: Colby Eddowes, Bradley Jelmert, Lasse Funck, Hannes Fahl and Cash Kunkel. Willem Coertzen, Jacob Pyeatt, Dawson Mayberry and Kenyon Parker comprised a quartet of second-teamers, while the third team included John Carswell, Noah McMurtrey, Handre Jonker and Andrew Mason.
Six women earned first-team honors, including Bella Coscetti, Cheyenne Melvin, Michelle Ogbemudia, Cadence Lapp, Hanyla Milligan and Rahel Broemmel with Selase Sampram receiving second-team acclaim.
NEXT UP
Jelmert and Colby Eddowes continue the indoor season for Arkansas State, competing in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, held March 7-9, in Boston, Mass. Jelmert will compete in the pole vault on Friday while Eddowes' heptathlon competition runs Friday and Saturday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State track and field and cross country programs, follow @AStateTrack on Twitter and @astatetfxc on Instagram, while also liking the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateTrackAndField.
2024 SUN BELT CONFERENCE INDOOR TRACK & FIELD POSTSEASON HONORS
MEN
High-Point Scorer: Dominick Yancy, Texas State
Track Performer of the Year: Daniel Harrold, Texas State
Field Performer of the Year: Bradley Jelmert, Arkansas State
Freshman of the Year: J'Marcus Sewell, ULM
Co-Newcomers of the Year: Shawn Collins, ULM/Sacha Perrier, South Alabama
Coach of the Year: Dr. Jim Patchell, Arkansas State
WOMEN
High-Point Scorer: NaJ Watson, Georgia Southern
Track Performer of the Year: NaJ Watson, Georgia Southern
Field Performer of the Year: Eunice Ilunga Mbuyi, ULM
Freshman of the Year: Ebba Hedberg, Coastal Carolina
Newcomer of the Year: Michelle Ogbemudia, Arkansas State
Coach of the Year: Dr. Jim Patchell, Arkansas State
2024 SUN BELT CONFERENCE INDOOR ALL-CONFERENCE
FIRST TEAM – 11
Women (6)
Bella Coscetti
Cheyenne Melvin
Michelle Ogbemudia
Cadence Lapp
Hanyla Milligan
Rahel Broemmel
Men (5)
Colby Eddowes
Bradley Jelmert
Lasse Funck
Hannes Fahl
Cash Kunkel
SECOND TEAM – 5
Women (1)
Selase Sampram
Men (4)
Willem Coertzen
Jacob Pyeatt
Dawson Mayberry
Kenyon Parker
THIRD TEAM – 4
Men (4)
John Carswell
Noah McMurtrey
Handre Jonker
Andrew Mason
