NEW ORLEANS, La. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs track & field teams land 12 Mountain Lions on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Central All-Region Team for a combined 15 all-region honors, announced Monday by the USTFCCCA.

UCCS Women's Track & Field Team tallied six different Mountain Lions that earned eight all-region honors in seven different events. Juniors Hannah Meek and Maia Austin doubled up on events as Meek earned honors in the women's long jump and triple jump, with Austin earning all-region in the 800m and mile. Freshman Faith Novess makes her first appearance on the all-region team while also claiming top regional performer after her performance at the conference championship meet in the high jump as Athlete of the Meet Kaija Crowe makes her way onto the all-region team in the pentathlon. Kayla Wooten joins Austin in the women's mile as Kayla Zink registers her third straight appearance on the indoor all-region time in the 60m.

The Mountain Lion Men's Track & Field Team had seven honorees with six different student-athletes recording All-Region honors in six different events. Senior Will Ross notched top regional performer in the triple jump and took home a second all-region honor in the long jump as well. Sophomore Dakota Abbott notches his first career all-region honor as hefinishes top-5 in the South Central Region in the triole jump along with Ross. Junior Colton Homuth and freshman Justyn Loper heaved their way to regional honors in the shot put and weight throw respectively. Two track honorees received their second career all-region honors with Deshon Elcock being named on the team for the 60m, and Charlie Forbes taking regional honors in the 60m hurdles.

To earn All-Region honors, an athlete must be one of the top-5 individuals in their event in their respective region. In addition, each member of a region's top-3 relay teams was also selected for the distinction. The eight regions used in NCAA DII are the Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West. Also, only athletes from USTFCCCA member institutions are eligible for the award.
 
With two indoor conference championships under their belt, the Mountain Lions now turn their focus to the national stage with the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships scheduled for Friday, Mar. 13 and Saturday, Mar. 14 in Birmingham, Ala.