FRISCO, Texas - Kayli Johnson has been named the Southland Conference Women's Athlete and Outstanding Field Athlete of the Year announced league officials Friday as part of the 2025 SLC Indoor Track & Field All-Conference Teams. Lamar University received 20 all-conference nods from 14 different athletes.
 
The SLC Indoor Track & Field superlative awards are nominated and voted upon by the league's head coaches. Voting for a school's own athlete was not permitted. All-conference recognition is given to the first, second and third-place finishers in each championship event final.
 
Johnson garnered three all-conference first team honors following three gold medals at the SLC Indoor Championships. She broke her school record in the 60H (8.33), set a personal best in the triple jump (12.67m/41'7"), and claimed the long jump title (5.97m/19'7"). For her performance, Johnson would be named the women's Most Valuable Performer in the meet claiming 30 of LU's 115 points, which helped the Cards secure second place.
 
Freddy Richardson received two first team honors in the men's 3,000m (8:08.74) and the distance medley relay (9:54.36), which he shared with Ethan Ellis, Luke Parker and Lloyd Sheppard-Brown. He also took second team recognition after silvering in the men's mile event.
 
Another athlete with multiple all-conference honors was Annabel Hobday, who received a third-team spot in the mile while she shared first team recognition in the distance medley relay with Kayla Smith, Emma Powell, and Cara Inch.
 
Kenson Tate earned his third straight first team honor after becoming the first Cardinal and fourth SLC athlete to three-peat in the long jump. He was the only competitor to reach 25 feet with his jump of 7.72m (25'4").
 
Other first team honorees were Ashton Rainey in the women's 3,000m and Mariam Buenanueva-Saleme, who took gold in the pentathlon, which also saw Clemence Varin (third team) receive the bronze. Elijah Jackson finished third in the high jump to have his third career all-conference honor and first indoors.
 
In total, the Cardinals won 13 medals, including nine golds at the conference title meet. While the women placed second behind conference champion Northwestern State, the men's team finished fifth with 61 points.
 
LU will open its outdoor season with two meets beginning March 26th as the Cardinals will run in both the Texas Relays in Austin (Mar. 26-29th) and Rice University's Victor Lopez Invitational (Mar. 27-29th).
 

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