DALLAS – The UTEP women swept Conference USA’s weekly awards with Niesha Burgher, Arianne Morais and Alla Parnov being named Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week. On the men’s side, UTEP’s Julio Pacheco Estrada and Jakub Belik picked up the weekly honors. Liberty’s Kellen Kimes earned Freshman of the Week. The league’s awards are presented by Blenders Eyewear.
 
CUSA Female Track Athlete of the Week – Niesha Burgher, UTEP, Sr., Saint Thomas, Jamaica
Burgher competed in a trio of events at the Arizona Spring Break Fiesta on March 16. Burgher was the second leg in the women's 4x100-meter relay victory, clocking in a 44.18 (third best time in program history). UTEP's 4x1 time ranks fifth nationally and first in CUSA. She also anchored the 4x400-meter relay race as the Miners finished in first with a time of 3:38.0. UTEP ranks sixth nationally and first in CUSA in 4x4. Burgher placed fifth out of 25 competitors in the women’s 400, clocking 54.37, and ranking first in CUSA and 16th nationally. 
 
CUSA Female Field Athlete of the Week – Arianne Morais, UTEP, Sr., Oslo, Norway
Morais opened her season earning first in the women’s javelin at the Arizona Spring Break Fiesta. The senior hurled a 53.14-meter (174-4) throw. Morais' mark ranks fifth nationally and first in CUSA. 
 
CUSA Female Freshman of the Week – Alla Parnov, UTEP, Fr., West Perth, Australia
Parnov set the school standard with a 4.15-meter mark (13-7.25) in the women’s pole vault and finished first in her collegiate outdoor debut at the Arizona Spring Break Fiesta. The freshman initially tied the school record with a 3.80 on her first attempt. Parnov’s mark ranks tied ninth nationally and first in CUSA. 
 
CUSA Male Track Athlete of the Week – Julio Pacheco Estrada, UTEP, Jr., Chihuahua, Mexico
Pacheco Estrada competed in two events at the Arizona Spring Break Fiesta. He was the second leg in the 4x400 relay team that placed second with a time of 3:12.13. The time topped last season’s best of 3:14.18. UTEP ranks 17th nationally and first in CUSA. Pacheco Estrada also ran the 400-meter dash, clocking in a CUSA-best 47.12. His 400 time ranks 21^st in the country. 
 
CUSA Male Field Athlete of the Week – Jakub Belik, UTEP, Jr., Jaromer, Czech Republic
Belik continued his success in his outdoor season opener with a victory in the men’s high jump at the Arizona Spring Break Fiesta. The junior posted a 2.13-meter (6-11.25) mark. He ranks first in CUSA and 11th nationally. 
 
CUSA Male Freshman of the Week – Kellen Kimes, Liberty, Fr., Ludington, Mich.
Kimes finished fourth in the men's hammer in his collegiate debut at the 49er Classic, reaching 193-0 (58.82m). His mark ranks No. 3 in CUSA and No. 47 nationally (No. 6 among freshmen) this season. The freshman’s effort ranks No. 7 in program history for Liberty.
 
2024 CUSA Female Track Athlete of the Week
M19      Niesha Burgher, UTEP
 
2024 CUSA Female Field Athlete of the Week
M19      Arianne Morais, UTEP
 
2024 CUSA Female Freshman of the Week
M19      Alla Parnov, UTEP
 
2024 CUSA Male Track Athlete of the Week
M19      Julio Pacheco Estrada, UTEP
 
2024 CUSA Male Field Athlete of the Week
M19      Jakub Belik, UTEP
 
2024 CUSA Male Freshman of the Week
M19      Kellen Kimes, Liberty