Four Lone Star Conference standouts were recognized with the 2022 LSC Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year awards. The honors were announced Tuesday following a vote of the league’s head coaches.
 
      West Texas A&M’s Benjamin Azamati claimed male track honors for the second straight year, while Texas A&M-Commerce’s Ushan Perera repeated as top male field athlete.  On the women’s side, the WT’s Leah Belfield captured the top track award for the second time, while the Lady Buffs Zada Swoopes earned field honors.
 
      Azamati, a sophomore from Akim Oda, Ghana, tallied 18 points at the 2022 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships, winning the 60m (6.63) for the second time and finishing runner-up in the 200 (21.32). He matched the all-time DII 60m record (6.54) and ran the second-best DII 200m (20.57) this year. Azamati was named the 2022 USTFCCCA South Central Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year for the second straight year.
 
      Perera, a sophomore from Mahabage, Sri Lanka, won his second straight DII indoor championship in the high jump (2.17m).  He recorded his best mark of the year (2.27m) at the LSC Championships, which ranks fourth all-time in Division II.
 
      Belfield, a sophomore from Te Awamutu, New Zealand, captured her first national title in the 200-meters (23.93) at the 2022 NCAA DII Indoor Championships.  She also finished runner-up in the 60 (7.40) for 18 points at the national meet.  Belfield was tabbed the 2022 USTFCCCA South Central Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year.
 
      Swoopes, a senior from Whitewright, Texas, concluded her indoor career with an NCAA Division II record in the shot put.  Her toss of 17.68m (58-0.75) earned her the DII title for the second straight year.  Swoopes was named the 2022 USTFCCCA South Central Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year.