NSU’s Butler, SLU’s Jackson repeat as Southland Outdoor Women’s Track & Field Athletes of the Week

FRISCO, Texas – A pair of repeat winners were honored as Northwestern State’s Sanaria Butler and Southeastern’s Kristian Jackson are the winners of the sixth Southland Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards of the 2023 season, as announced Wednesday by the conference office.

Women’s Track Athlete of the Week: Sanaria Butler, Northwestern State – Fr. – Port Arthur, Texas (Port Neches-Groves HS)
Butler repeats as Athlete of the Week as she was part of two more school records last weej. Her 52.19 broke the school record in the 400 meter dash, one in which she broke her own record that lasted just one week. It is tops in the SLC this season and 13th in the region. She also ran a leg on the 4×400 relay team that broke the school record with a 3:36.28, which is also best in the SLC and sixth in the region. She also ran a 23.67 in the 200 meters, which is second in the SLC and 35th in the region.

Women’s Field Athlete of the Week: Kristian Jackson, Southeastern – Gr. – Zachary, La. (Zachary HS)
Jackson now has the best discus throw in the Southland this season by nearly 10 meters after unleashing a personal best throw of 54.40 meters (178′ 6″) at the ultra-competitive LSU Alumni Gold event on Saturday, good enough for a third place finish in Baton Rouge. That toss moved her to 21st on the list of qualifiers for the NCAA East Regional, well inside the mark needed to qualify. Her 14.70 meters (48′ 2¾”) throw in the shot put competition got her a fourth place finish in Baton Rouge on Saturday and while not a season best for Jackson, it was still longer than any other Southland competitor’s throw in the the discipline this season. This is her third Athlete of the Week award this season.

Honorable Mention: Crisstin Riley, Lamar.

2022-23 Southland Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week
Date Track Athlete of the Week / Field Athlete of the Week
Mar. 22 Ariana Jimenez, New Orleans / Reem Tammam, HCU
Mar. 29 Yasmin Austridge, Lamar / Kristian Jackson, Southeastern
Apr. 5 Maygan Shaw, Northwestern State / Tamara Susa, A&M-Commerce
Apr. 12 Yasmin Austridge, Lamar (2) / Kristian Jackson, Southeastern (2)
Apr. 19 Sanaria Butler, Northwestern State / Madison Brown, Northwestern State
Apr. 26 Sanaria Butler, Northwestern State (2) / Kristian Jackson, Southeastern (3)

Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.