Rock Hill, S.C.----Wingate University junior distance specialist Evie Brooks (Horncastle, England) is the 2026 South Atlantic Conference women's indoor track and field Athlete of the Year, officials announce this week. Brooks had a breakout season for the Bulldogs, securing first team All-American honors at the NCAA Division II national championships in Virginia Beach earlier this month.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate assistant track and field coach Pol Domenech
 
"Evie's story is one of steady, intentional progress. From her freshman year, when she focused on adjusting to a new environment, to her sophomore year competing at every NCAA Championship, to this season when she has established herself as one of the top athletes in the NCAA, each step has been purposeful. There's no secret to her success, only a commitment to taking the next logical step every time. We're excited to see this progression continue."
 
Brooks earns NCAA and SAC honors
 
Brooks received first team NCAA All-American honors in the mile, taking fourth place with her championship finals time of 4:46.79. She finished 16th in the NCAA 3000 meters with her time of 10:00.17. Brooks won the mile at the SAC championships with her time of 4:59.07. She took fifth place in the SAC 3000 meters with her time of 9:57.30.
 
2026 Wingate indoor season quick recap
 
- Wingate sent a program-best 14 student-athletes to NCAAs March 13-14
- Senior Luca Poppe won national titles in the men's 5000 and 3000 meters
- Wingate men finished a program-best third, while the women tied for 38th
- WU earned first team AA honors in seven events at the '26 championships
- The USTFCCCA honored 42 WU student-athletes with All-Southeast Region laurels
- Both WU teams won SAC indoor titles for the fourth year in a row
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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