Uwajeneza honored for historic performance at LSC Indoor Championships

PLANO, TX– Florance Uwajeneza was named the Lone Star Conference Outstanding Track Athlete after winning four events at last week’s conference indoor track & field championships held in Lubbock. Matt Stewart was named the Coach of the Year for the fourth time while 16 Lady Buffs earned All-LSC accolades.

Stewart led the Lady Buffs their eighth straight team title in impressive fashion winning nine of the 17 events to score a program record 234.5 points. It was the second time in program history and first since 2015 to eclipse 200 point mark at the championship meet.

Uwajeneza had one of the best performances at any LSC Championships as the junior scored 32.5 points including a record-breaking performance in the 5,000-meters. She broke the school, LSC and meet record in the 5K running 16:42.18, which converts to the second-best time in the nation. She followed that up by anchoring the distance medley to their first title in program history.

On Sunday, she broke Mireia Guarner’s school record in the mile running 4:59.79 before cruising to victory in the 3,000-meters in 10:14.79.

Uwajeneza was joined on the All-LSC First Team by Taylor Nelloms, Leah Belfield, Zada Swoopes, Elliot Harrison, Eleonora Curtabbi, Raquel Chavez, Miriam Zanovello and Nyia Sena. DeOndra Green, Laiten Greeson, Alana Wilson, Daphne Pate and Flore Gracia earned Second Team accolades with Joey Zimmerman and Luisa Neumann on the Third Team.

Zanovello and Belfield also earned all-academic honors for their work on and off the track.

The Lady Buffs will compete at the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 11-13 in Birmingham, Alabama.