LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its Athletes of the Week for February 17, 2026. Today will include Players of the Week from Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field.
This week’s selections included contests through Sunday, February 15. A total of four student-athletes from two different member institutions were recognized for their performances.
Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Field Athlete of the Week
Elly Bruner / JR / Lancaster Bible College / Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg
Bruner hit the podium twice at the NCCAA Indoor Championships this weekend as she dominated in the jumping events. The junior took home the gold in the high jump as her leap of 1.60 meters tied a season best and a conference-leading mark. She then collected a third place finish in the triple jump as her mark of 10.54 meters has her ranked second in the conference. the Lancaster, Pa. native then completed the jumping put trio with a seventh place finish in th elong jump with a mark of 5.18 meters.
This is Bruner's fifth career weekly accoalde (02/03/26, 01/27/26, 01/20/26, 01/13/26)
Track Athlete of the Week
Abby Ames / JR / Lancaster Bible College / Lancaster, Pa. / Penn Manor
Ames demonstrated plenty of success in the long distiance events this weekend as she competed at the NCCAA Indoor Championships. The local product crossed the finish line of the 3,000m in 11:14.42 which not only set a personal best but also ranks first in the conference. She then clocked a 20:21.58 in the 5K which is good enough for fifth best in the United East.
This is Ames' second career weekly accolade (01/20/26).
Men’s Indoor Track & Field
Track Athlete of the Week
David Helms / JR / Lancaster Bible College / Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg
Helms continues to dominate in the long distance events, finding success at the NCCAA Indoor Championships this past weekend. The junior was just a second of his conference-leading time in the 5K as his time of 15:11.29 was good enough for third at the meet. He then took 11th in the 3K with a time of 9:03.54.
This is Helms' sixth weekly accolade of the year and his eighth of his career (02/03/26, 1/27/26, 1/20/26, 1/13/26, 12/09/25, 02/11/25, 01/28/25).
Field Athlete of the Week
Navar Harris / JR / Gallaudet University / Charleston, W. Va.
Gallaudet University junior thrower Navar Harris finished ninth overall in the shot put with a top toss of 12.84 meters (42 feet, 1.50 inches) last Saturday at the Joe LaRocco Invitational, held at Cregger Field House on the Roanoke College campus. Harris was just under a meter from his league leading through from 10 days ago.
This is the Harris' first ever weekly award
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The United East boasts 14 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.