KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Huntington (Ind.) sophomore Jayden Williams, a native of Oregon, Ohio, has been named the NAIA Men’s Track Athlete of the Week after a standout performance at the Crossroads of America meet on January 23, 2026.

Williams delivered his headline moment in the 600 meters, winning the event against a 28-athlete field with a time of 1:19.44. The mark not only earned him the individual title, but also set a personal record and became the second-fastest 600-meter time in Huntington program history. His performance met the NAIA “A” standard.

Williams also doubled back in the 400 meters, finishing eighth out of 26 competitors in 49.09. While the time did not register a qualifying standard, it added to an impressive day of work against a strong field.

He capped the meet as part of Huntington’s 4x400-meter relay, helping the team place second in 3:14.82 out of seven squads, another NAIA “A” standard performance. The only team to finish ahead of the Foresters was the University of Kentucky, highlighting the significance of Huntington’s runner-up result in a field that included non-NAIA competition.

For more on this years Track and Field Athlete's of the week CLICK HERE