BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama A&M University women's distance runner Laura Avila earned her second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Track & Field Newcomer of the Week honor, the conference announced on Wednesday.
 
One week after breaking the school mark at the Vulcan Invitational in the 3000 meters, Avila was back at it again on Friday, smashing another record, this time the 5000m at the Vanderbilt Invitational.
 
Avila placed sixth in the 5000m, crossing the line in 18:18.95, and breaking the mark by more than a minute. The previous record of 19:28.96 was previously held by Sanyae Gibson, set in 2025 at the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Florida A&M's Tara Bert was selected the SWAC's Track Athlete of the Week, while Alabama State's Amaya Burrow earned Field Athlete of the Week.
 
Alabama A&M returns to action Jan. 30-31 in the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational at the Norton Healthcare Sport and Learning Center in Louisville, Ky.
 
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