Vance named West Region Men's Indoor Head Coach of the Year, Hobbs named West Region Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year

Vance named West Region Men's Indoor Head Coach of the Year, Hobbs named West Region Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year

LEVELLAND — For the second time in as many years, South Plains track and field head coach Erik Vance has been named the West Region Men's Indoor Head Coach of the Year, voted on by fellow coaches in the west region.

This marks the third time Vance has come away with Coach of the Year Honors as he was named the West Region Indoor and Outdoor Head Coach of the Year last season. Vance has led the Texans to a No. 1 national ranking in the latest USTFCCCA national polls and will compete for an indoor national crown this weekend at the 2018 NJCAA Indoor National Championships at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center.

Joining Vance with Coach of the Year honors is second-year assistant coach Justin Hobbs who has helped guide the Lady Texans to a No. 4 national ranking in 2018. For his efforts, Hobbs was named the West Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. This marks the second time Hobbs has earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors in the west region after being named the West Region Men's Indoor Coach of the Year in 2017.

Freshman Jelena Rowe will look to solidify her claim as the nation's top high jumper this weekend in Lubbock as she enters nationals with the top mark in the country after clearing 6' 0.5" at the Charlie Thomas Invitational on Feb. 2. For her efforts, Rowe has been named the 2018 West Region Field Athlete of the Year and will play an instrumental role for the Lady Texans this weekend.

Sophomore Mason Weh was named the 2018 West Region Track Athlete of the Year as he currently ranks second at the NJCAA level in the men's 60 hurdles. Weh posted a time of 7.91 on Feb. 9 at the Tyson Invitational and will be in the hunt for a new personal best and national gold come Saturday.