MARTINEZ, Ga. – The Lander track and field teams delivered a strong performance at the Peach Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, highlighted by multiple event titles, podium finishes and major conference honors.
Michael Balkman was named the PBC Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year after capturing conference titles in both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Balkman won the 400 meters with a time of 47.32 after also claiming the 200-meter title in 21.15. Balkman earned Freshman of the Year honors at last year's PBC Outdoor Championship while also earning both Freshman of the Year and Most Outstanding Track Athlete at the 2025 PBC Indoor Championships
Seth Hammon was recognized with the PBC Elite 18 Award, presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at the championship site.
Tymia Willis also turned in a standout performance, winning the 400 meters in 56.10 and adding a runner-up finish in the 200 meters with a time of 24.76.
On the men's side, Lander placed multiple runners among the top finishers in the 400 meters. Karson Norman finished fourth with a time of 48.38, while Kendel Rollerson placed fifth in 48.77.
The Bearcats also saw success in the relay events. The men's 4x100-meter relay team of
Pharrell Martinez, Norman, Rollerson, and Balkman captured the conference title with a time of 41.27. The men's 4x400-meter relay team of Kendel Rollerson,
Deidre Smith, Martinez, and Norman added another title, winning in 3:14.88.
On the women's side, the 4x100-meter relay team of
Journey Edwards, Willis,
Caalyn Hyman, and
Kalyna McLaren earned a podium finish, placing third with a time of 47.91.
In the hurdles,
Journey Edwards placed third in the 100-meter hurdles and added a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles.
Lander also picked up points in the distance events, as Jonathan Cummings placed fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while
Carly Fuel earned a third-place finish in the 10,000 meters.
In the field events, the Bearcats saw a pair of podium finishes.
Darby Ward placed third in the javelin, while
Louis Helms also finished third in the men's javelin.
Additional performances included
Kalyna McLaren placing eighth in the 100 meters and
Vernon Watson finishing sixth in the 200 meters.
