West Texas A&M’s William Amponsah and Florance Uwajeneza, Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Thomas Nieto and Angelo State’s Allison Vaughn claimed 2024 Lone Star Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year honors, which were announced Monday (June 3) by the league office.
 
Amponsah was named LSC Male Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, Nieto was tabbed LSC Male Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year, Uwajeneza won LSC Female Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and Vaughn was voted LSC Female Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.
 
Amponsah, who is a junior from Agona Swedru, Central, Ghana, was the NCAA Division II champion in the 10,000 meters (29:00.47) and runner-up in the 5,000 meters (14:40.7). His 18 points at the national championships made him the event’s high point scorer. He also took gold in both events at the LSC Championships.
 
Nieto, who is a junior from Ibagué, Colombia, was the Division II national runner-up in the pole vault. He passed on the first four heights before nailing 5.30m on his first try. He then cleared 5.40m (17’, 8.5”) on his first attempt. Nieto’s 5.50m (18’, 0.5’) this season ranks him in the top 10 of Division II’s all-time list. He won gold at the LSC Championships.
 
Uwajeneza, who is a graduate student from St. Paul, Minn., won a pair of Division II national titles – becoming the first Lady Buff to do so at the same meet. She prevailed in the 10,000 meters with a 34:14.47 before being victorious in the 5,000 meters with a 16:33.00. Uwajeneza totaled 20 points at the national meet. She also won gold medals in both events at the LSC Championships.
 
Vaughn, who is a junior from Christoval, Texas, finished eighth in the triple jump at the Division II Championships with a mark of 12.60m. She was a provisional qualifier in three different events (also heptathlon and 400 meter hurdles). Vaughn totaled 21 points at the LSC Championships, securing points in triple jump, heptathlon, 400 meter hurdles and long jump.
 
All four athletes earned First Team All-American recognition by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and were First Team All-LSC selections.
 
The LSC honors were voted on by the league’s head coaches.
 
 
2024 LSC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Male Track Athlete of the Year: William Amponsah, West Texas A&M
Male Field Athlete of the Year: Thomas Nieto, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Female Track Athlete of the Year: Florance Uwajeneza, West Texas A&M
Female Field Athlete of the Year: Allison Vaughn, Angelo State