Pope Wins Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Year

A track athlete stands of the podium after she won her race.

Jessame Pope won Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Adrian Pemberton Photo.

Posted: May 20, 2026

GRESHAM, OR – On Wednesday, the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) announced individual awards following the conclusion of the 2026 NWAC Track & Field Championships held at Mt. Hood CC in Gresham, OR. Cave Junction, OR native and Lane freshman, Jessame Pope, was named the NWAC's Baden Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments. You can read the short excerpt about Pope from the NWAC website here.

As a squad the Titans women's track and field team put up a valiant effort against the spread. They placed second overall with 165 points. The Spokane Sasquatch rolled over the competiton scoring 179 points.

The men also earned second place as a team with 116 points. The Spokane men gave the other teams no chance as they scored 253 points and won their second consecutive team title.

Lane track and field as cross country head coach, Chris Yorges said, "The Lane men and women had an incredible showing. Both teams placed second with the Women's team earning 17 All American Awards and the Men 12."

More from Southern Region Coach of the Year: "Jessame Pope was the NWAC High Point Winner for the Conference and awarded female athlete of the meet. Jessame won the Women's 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles as well as placing second in the long jump and triple jump.

Jessame led the way with 4 All-American awards, Aja LaPan with 3 (Long Jump, Triple Jump and 4x400 Relay), Thianna Deng garnered 2 All-American Awards (Shot Put and Hammer), as well as Amanda Bennett (Heptathlon and Pole Vault), and Lilly Krisky (400 and 4x400 Relay).

Additional All-Americans are Molly Mucken, Discus; Tatum Fleming and Eva Jensen; 4x100 relay.

The Men's team was highlighted by Lucas Hoff who won the Decathlon and won an additional All American in the High Jump and Joseph Wofford claimed two All-American awards in the 5000 and 10,000 meters. Kekoa Williams won the High Jump to be an All-American and his fellow teammates that also earned All-American Status are Andrew Rush (1500 meter), Conner Lamb (Steeplechase) and the men's 4x100 relay of Logan Moreno, Hayden Silbernagel, Sawyer Hallberg and Bryson Mwaura."

Other highlights included the Titans women pole vaulters snagging first, second and third. Isabella Abrahams placed 1st with a jump of 12 feet, 6 inches. Behind Abrahams was Paizlei Tucker in 2nd (11 feet, 8.5 inches) and Amanda Bennett in 3rd (11 feet, 4.5 inches).