BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Mississippi College Track and Field proudly announces that their athletes have dominated this week's Gulf South Conference (GSC) Athlete of the Week awards by winning all six categories. The talented athletes who received the honors are Essence Tornabene, Kelechi Christian, Haley Hall, Al Ferrill, Niklas Klei, and Jake Keesee.

Essence Tornabene has been named the Women's Field Athlete of the Week. The Kissimmee, Florida native broke school records in Women's Shot Put and Hammer Throw at the Southern Miss Invitational, achieving the NCAA Division II provisional standard in the Hammer Throw with an impressive toss of 53.01 meters. Tornabene now ranks 1st in the GSC and 15th nationally for the Hammer, and 3rd in the conference for both Shot Put and Discus.

Kelechi Christian earned the Women's Track Athlete of the Week title, having run NCAA Division II provisional marks in the 100m and 200m at the Southern Miss Invitational. She is the only athlete in the GSC to achieve provisional marks in the 100m, 200m, and 400m this season. Christian won the 200m and placed 2nd in the 100m at the meet. She now ranks 17th nationally in the 200m and 22nd in the 100m.

Freshman sensation Haley Hall secured the Women's Freshman of the Week award with her exceptional fourth-place finish in both the High Jump and 800m run at the Southern Miss Invitational. As the highest-ranking freshman in both competitions, Hall currently holds the fourth spot in the GSC for the 800m run and High Jump.

Niklas Klei claimed the Men's Track Athlete of the Week honor after setting a school record in the 400m dash, winning the Southern Miss Invitational in 46.89 seconds. Klei now leads the GSC in the event and ranks 5th in NCAA Division II. He also achieved a lifetime best in the 200m and contributed to the Men's 4x100m relay, which hit the NCAA Division II provisional standard.

Al Ferrill was awarded Men's Field Athlete of the Week. Ferrill set GSC-leading conference marks in Men's Shot Put, Hammer Throw, and Discus at the Southern Miss Invitational. He also moved up to No. 2 All-time in Mississippi College history for the Men's Hammer Throw.

Lastly, Jake Keesee earned the Men's Freshman of the Week title, ranking as the top freshman in the GSC in Men's Hammer Throw (3rd overall) and Discus (4th overall), and sixth overall in Shot Put. Additionally, because of his outstanding performance at the Southern Miss Invitational, Keesee is also the third-ranked freshman in NCAA Division II in the Men's Hammer Throw.

Mississippi College congratulates these outstanding athletes for their dedication and hard work, and their exceptional performances have created momentum for the program that they will likely bring into their next competition.