Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage athletes earn first CCIW indoor track & field weekly honors

The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) has named its first Men’s Indoor Track & Field Student-Athletes of the Week for the season. Illinois Wesleyan senior Evan Lowder received track honors, while Carthage freshman Hayden Rollins was recognized in the field category after strong performances during the opening weekend.

Evan Lowder began his season by winning the 400 meters at the Titan Open in Bloomington last Friday. He finished with a time of 49.34 seconds, which converts to 48.57 seconds for national ranking purposes. This performance places him ninth nationally on the TFRRS list for the opening week. Lowder’s result contributed to Illinois Wesleyan securing 12 event victories at the meet.

Hayden Rollins made his collegiate debut at Saturday's Carthage Forever Red Alumni Classic. The Flower Mound, Texas native won the pole vault with a mark of 4.75 meters, breaking a Carthage school record that had stood since 2014. His achievement currently ranks first among CCIW athletes and fourth nationally in NCAA Division III.

"Lowder opened the season with a victory in the 400 meters at the Titan Open last Friday in Bloomington. He posted a winning time of 49.34, which converts to 48.57, ranking ninth nationally on the TFRRS list during the opening week of the season," according to CCIW officials.

"Rollins turned in an impressive collegiate debut at the Carthage Forever Red Alumni Classic on Saturday. A native of Flower Mound, Texas, Rollins won the pole vault with a mark of 4.75 meters. The effort set a new Carthage record, surpassing the previous standard of 4.70 meters established in 2014," CCIW reported.

Rollins’ mark leads all conference competitors and is one of this week's top results across Division III programs nationwide.