RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Following a historic performance that erased one of the oldest marks in the program record book, Harding sophomore Carly Tucker has been named the Great American Conference Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.
Tucker, a native of Bullard, Texas, earned the honor after an exceptional showing at the Music City Challenge in Nashville this past weekend.
Competing against a premier field of Division I athletes, Tucker shattered a 37-year-old school record in the long jump. Her leap of 5.79m (19-00) (+) surpassed the previous record of 18-07.00 set by Letha Stewart in 1989. With the jump, Tucker became the first woman in Harding history to eclipse the 19-foot barrier indoors.
The mark easily surpassed the NCAA Provisional qualifying standard and moved her into the top tier of the national rankings. In addition to her record-breaking jump, Tucker demonstrated her versatility by competing in the high jump, the 600-meter run, and the 60-meter hurdles during the multi-day meet.
Senior distance runner Josie Parks was also nominated for Track Athlete of the Week after leading the Lady Bisons in the mile and anchoring the Distance Medley Relay to an NCAA provisional time.
Tucker and the Lady Bisons return to action Friday, Feb. 20, at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville.
Harding's 2026 GAC Women's Athletes of the Week
