NEW ORLEANS, La. - Senior Bailey Hedgemon and assistant coach Aron Gibson were honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with major awards from the indoor season, the organization announced on Thursday.

Hedgemon, a senior from Atlanta, Ga., was named the Women's South Region Field Athlete of the Year after earning First Team All-America honors at the National Championship in her first appearance at the national meet. She turned in a fifth place finish, the second-best in program history, in the weight throw after tossing a program record mark of 18.07m (58'-02.50"). Hedgemon also earned All-Region honors after leading the South Region in the weight throw while winning the ODAC title in the event as well. She is the third student-athlete in program history to be named a Regional Athlete of the Year, joining Dana Lee (2016) and Katelyn Gamble (2022).

Gibson, who is inseventh season as the throws coach for both men's and women's track & field, was named the South Region Assistant Coach of the Year for the first time in his career after guiding the women's throws crew to 27 points at this year's ODAC Championship including six top-eight finishes and a champion in the weight throw in Hedgemon. He is the third women's coach in program history to earn Regional Coach of the Year honors joining Nate Hoey (2009) and Michael Dager (2025).
 

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