BOSTON – Four #AETF programs opened their seasons this past weekend, with a number of athletes turning in impressive performances.

On the first weekend of the outdoor season, four teams competed. Vermont competed at the River City Relays, while Bryant was at Charleston Southern University. UMBC took part in the UCF Black & Gold Challenge, while UAlbany was at the USF Alumni Invitational.


UMass Lowell, NJIT, Maine & Binghamton will be competing at the Raleigh Relays this week. Bryant will host the Jaylin Rainford Invitational, with UNH competing there, while UMass Lowell welcomes Vermont to Lowell.


#AETF  Weekly Award Winners – March 24

Female Field Athlete of the Week
Lalenii Grant, UAlbany – So., Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago

• Competed in the discus with a throw of 56.81 meters and a distance of 12.42 in the shot put.
• Discus currently ranks 3^rd in the nation.
• This is Grant’s second #AETF Athlete of the Week honor.

 
Female Track Athlete of the Week
Skyler Smith, UAlbany – Sr., Niskayuna, N.Y.

• Ran the 800m (2:11.28) and the 1500m (4:31.79) this weekend. The 800 time is 3^rd in the Northeast, while the 1500 is 4^th in the Northeast.
• This is Smith’s first #AETF Athlete of the Week honor.

 
Female Track Rookie of the Week
Lily Bandy, UMBC – Fr., Woodsboro, Md.

• Competed in the 200m with a time of 24.15 at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge. The time ranks 14^th in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Also raced in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, helping the relays post times of 46.91 and 3:41.81 respectively.
• This is Bandy’s first #AETF Rookie of the Week honor.

 
 
Male Field Athlete of the Week
Iosif Papa, UMBC – Sr., Nicosia, Cyprus

• Papa threw a career-best 59.86 in the discus at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge. The distance ranks first in the nation by 0.28 meters.
• This is Papa’s first #AETF Athlete of the Week honor.

 
Male Track Athlete of the Week
Steve Hines, UAlbany – Gr., Montego Bay, Jamaica

• Competed in the 800 meters with a time of 1:49.46, 6th best in program history and the 1500 meters (3:58.20).
• The 800 time is the 6th best in the East Region.
• This is Hines' first #AETF Athlete of the Week honor.

 
Male Rookie of the Week
Jacob Martin, UMBC – Fr., Derwood, Md.

• Marting competed in the 800m at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge, finishing with a time of 1:50.55, which ranks 14^th in the east region.
• This is Martin’s first #AETF Rookie of the Week honor.

2026 #AETF Weekly Award Winners
March 24- Female Field Athlete: Lalenii Grant, UAlbany; Female Track Athlete: Skyler Smith, UAlbany; Female Rookie: Lily Bandy, UMBC; Male Field Athlete: Iosif Papa, UMBC; Male Track Athlete: Steve Hines, UAlbany; Male Rookie; Jacob Martin, UMBC



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