LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama track and field teams will head to Atlanta, Georgia, this
weekend to compete in the Georgia Tech Invitational on April 17-18.
This meet will be the Tigers' final regular-season competition before the Gulf South Conference Championship.
The Tigers enter the weekend after an impressive all-around performance at the UWA Invitational, where both squads showcased depth across sprints, distance, and field events, winning multiple events.
Dedric Hicks continues to dominate in field events and will be a top contender in the shot put. Hicks ranks first in the GSC by nearly two meters, holding a significant lead over the competition. At the UWA Invitational, he posted a winning throw of 17.20 meters – his second-best mark of the outdoor season- after already setting a personal record of 17.48 meters earlier this year. Hicks has consistently been one of the conference's most dominant performers and recently earned another GSC Field Athlete of the Week honor.
On the women's side,
J'Da Williams has been one of the most decorated athletes in the GSC season. Williams has earned five GSC Weekly Awards during her outdoor campaign, highlighting her consistency and impact across multiple events. Last weekend, she had a standout performance and looks to continue that momentum this weekend. Her speed and versatility continue to be a major asset heading into the championship season. The relay squads will also be a key focus this weekend, including the women's 4x400 team, which continues to develop as a strong scoring group. With postseason competition approaching, the Tigers will look to fine-tune their relay chemistry and improve times
against a competitive field.
Distance runner
Gary Mata will also be one to watch as he continues to build toward peak form heading into the championship portion of the season. He led a dominant sweep in the 800 meters at the UWA Invitational, where he placed second in a tightly contested race.
Across the board, UWA has shown the ability to compete at a high level, combining strong individual performances with depth in multiple event groups. The Georgia Tech Invitational provides one final opportunity to sharpen execution, post qualifying marks, and build confidence before turning their full attention to the GSC Championships.
