LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama Track & Field program will officially open its first-ever indoor campaign on Friday, December 5th, at the Birmingham CrossPlex Icebreaker. Action begins at 8:30 a.m. inside the Birmingham CrossPlex (Birmingham, Ala.), marking the start of a new era for the Tigers.
This winter marks UWA's inaugural indoor season after the athletic department announced the expansion of the program earlier this year. The indoor slate will run through February, culminating in the program's first appearance at the Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships.
"I am very excited and thankful for this opportunity that President Fritch and Athletic Director Gilliland have decided to provide our student-athletes," head coach Sterling Martin said. "This opportunity to race during the indoor season will accelerate the development of our programs at the conference and national level."
The Tigers enter the season with strong momentum following a breakthrough outdoor campaign last spring. Balikis Yakubu, Augusta Arnold, and Brayden Harris all captured GSC Championships, while Arnold, Mercy Lomuria, and Dedric Hicks set new school records across multiple events.
Key Returners
UWA brings back a deep and experienced group on both sides.
Women's Returners:
Augusta Arnold, Haley Cook-Graham, Jamaya Dancy, Mercy Lomuria, Laurel Morse, Autumn Sansing, Erica Smith, and Gabriel Stephens.
Men's Returners:
She'Kenye Darden, Michael Harris, Dedric Hicks, Jaxson Lovelace, Avante Mackey, Gary Mata, Nicholas Nash, Dylan Payne, Jonathan Phillips, Tyrie Payne Sherrod, Caleb Vann, Jamarion Walker, Lawrence Walker Jr., and Ahmerion Williams.
These veterans form the foundation of UWA's first indoor roster, giving the Tigers proven scoring potential across sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, and throws.
A Major Wave of New Talent
The Tigers also welcome 24 new signees to the 2025 recruiting class—one of the largest and most accomplished groups in program history. The class features state champions, junior college standouts, and record-holding athletes across every event group.
The men's newcomers include state champions such as Braxton Williams (100m), Jalen Green (110H), and Jamar Bankhead (shot put/discus), as well as collegiate transfers like Landon Laphand (400m), Ethan Michael (javelin), and distance standouts Ray Englebert and Lorenzo Pelusi.
On the women's side, UWA adds high-level sprinters including Adria Burrell, D-Kota Hudson, Jocelyn Randle, and J'Da Williams, along with standout jumpers like Beniyia Harris and multiple strong distance additions from Shelton State and Wallace State.
With the combination of experienced returners and an impressive freshman and transfer class, UWA enters its first indoor season with depth and competitive potential across the board.
The Tigers will look to set the tone for the winter on Friday as they debut inside one of the nation's premier indoor facilities.
