Laura Avila, a junior distance runner at Alabama A&M University, has been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women’s Track & Field Newcomer of the Week. The announcement was made by the conference on Wednesday.
Avila achieved this recognition after her performance at the Vulcan Invitational, where she competed in her first indoor meet of the season. She set a new school record in the 3000 meters with a time of 10:36.49, surpassing the previous record of 11:06.64 set by teammate Sanyae Gibson at the SWAC Indoor Championships on February 17, 2024. Avila finished fourth in the event.
Florida A&M’s Amani Kinon was selected as SWAC Track Athlete of the Week, and Prairie View A&M’s Michaela Booker earned Field Athlete of the Week honors.
Alabama A&M is scheduled to compete next at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 16-17. Fans can watch both days of competition on SEC Network+.
“Avila, competing in her first indoor meet of the season, smashed the school record in the 3000 meters at the Vulcan Invitational on Saturday. The junior broke a nearly two-year old mark in the event by registering a time of 10:36.49 to finish fourth. Her mark broke the previous record of 11:06.64 set by teammate Sanyae Gibson at the SWAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 17, 2024.”
For more information about Alabama A&M Athletics and updates on their events and teams, visit their official homepage at www.aamusports.com.
