CHARLOTTE, NC – The first NJCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track and Field Athlete awards of the 2025 season have been announced with Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week Mercedes Glover (Cowley) and Jaylon Hatcher (Hesston) each picking up their first national honor of the year.  

Mercedes Glover (Cowley) – NJCAA Women’s D1 Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week
Glover recorded the top mark in the NJCAA this season in the hammer throw at the Dean Pryor Invitational, with a national qualifying mark of 48.85 meters (160 ft. - 3 in.) to win the event over 19 other competitors.

Jaylon Hatcher (Hesston) – NJCAA Men’s D1 Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week
Hatcher took home first place in the long jump at the Dean Pryor Invitational in his first collegiate outdoor meet. He also placed ninth in the 100m dash (10.79) and seventh in the 200m dash (21.67).