RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Following a historic, record-breaking performance on one of the biggest stages in collegiate track and field, Harding senior Yves Bilong has been named the Great American Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
Bilong, a native of Saint-Gilles, France, earned the honor after a dominant showing in the University/College section of the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin. Bilong shattered the Harding school record in the triple jump with a massive leap of 16.14 meters (52-11.5).
The mark did more than just rewrite the Bison record books; it secured Bilong a top-three finish against an elite field of primarily Division I competitors and catapulted him to the No. 1 spot in the NCAA Division II national rankings.
Bilong was not the only Bison recognized by the conference. Freshman Benson Lingokal earned a nomination for GAC Track Athlete of the Week following his strong performance in Texas. The track accolade ultimately went to Oklahoma Baptist's Korban Murphy, who posted a national top-20 time in the 800 meters.
Bilong and the No. 5-ranked Bisons return to action this week as they host a pair of home meets in Searcy. The Stallion Transportation Bison Multi begins Thursday, April 9, followed by the Stallion Transportation Bryan Phillips Open on Friday, April 10, at the Ted and Marcie Lloyd Track and Field Complex.
