BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama A&M University women's distance runner Laura Avila was selected the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Track & Field Newcomer of the Week, the conference announced on Wednesday.
 
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.
 
Florida A&M's Amani Kinon was selected the SWAC's Track Athlete of the Week, while Prairie View A&M's Michaela Booker earned Field Athlete of the Week.
 
Alabama A&M returns to the track this weekend (Jan. 16-17) as the Bulldogs will be participating in the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. Both days fans can tune into the SEC Network+ to follow all the action.
 
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