BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Cross Country weekly awards for September 14, 2026, where Jeremiah Barrera from Texas Southern was named Runner of the Week and Colton Harris from Mississippi Valley State was named Newcomer of the Week on the Men’s Side. Laura Avila from Alabama A&M was named Runner of the Week and Crystal Malaykhan was named Newcomer of the Week on the Women’s Side.

SWAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week: Jeremiah Barrera, Texas Southern
The Senior from Arlington, Texas was Texas Southern’s top finisher, placing 11^th overall individually in the 50^th Rice Invitational, aiding Texas Southern with a fourth-place team finish. Barrera finished with a 16:55.2 time and will now turn his focus over to the Chile Pepper Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Saturday, October 3^rd following his first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Men’s Cross Country Newcomer of the Week: Colton Harris, Mississippi Valley State
The Freshman from Waynesboro, Mississippi placed 21^st overall in the Legacy Series Invite with a time of 20:48.7 while aiding his team to a fourth-place finish. Following his first weekly honor of the season, Harris will shift his focus to the Belhaven Invitational in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, October 3^rd.
 
SWAC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week: Laura Avila, Alabama A&M
The Senior from Medellín, Colombia placed first overall individually as the Legacy Series Invite winner while the Lady Bulldogs claimed the team title. Avila added a season best time of 18:51.4 while Alabama A&M had four other runners in the top-five individually. Avila earns her first weekly honor of the season and will now turn her focus to the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama on September 18^th.
 
SWAC Women’s Cross Country Newcomer of the Week: Crystal Malaykhan, Florida A&M
The Sophomore from Orlando, Florida placed second overall at the Willie Lester Cross Country Invitational while aiding Florida A&M to winning the event with a first-place finish, having an individual time of 19:42.10.  Malaykhan will turn her attention to the Pre-Regionals in Tallahassee, Florida on September 18^th. Crystal Malaykhan continues growing in her collegiate career and now adds her first weekly honor of the season.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis. 

Women’s competitions are offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
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