NEW ORLEANS — The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced several national awards on Thursday afternoon, one of which went to a prominent Montreat College student-athlete. According to the organization's release, Heather Murphy seized the 2026 USTFCCCA NAIA Women's Outdoor National Track Athlete of the Year honor. The recognition marked the first for a Montreat College track & field student-athlete in program history.
 
Murphy capped off the outdoor track & field season with a historic national meet. Running in both the 10k and the 5000m, Murphy not only became the first NAIA women's individual national champion in program history, but she also became the first two-time NAIA individual national champion in school history. A native of Portarlington, Ireland, Murphy won the 10k by more than 30 seconds and the 5000m by nearly 40 seconds.
 
For a complete look at the 2026 USTFCCCA NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Awards, click here.
 
The Montreat College women's track & field team finished the 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships with 20 points, tied for 14^th out of 75 scoring squads.