Army West Point Athletics
Track and Field Dominates Patriot League Weekly Awards
January 27, 2026 | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After an impressive weekend of competition, five Army West Point track and field cadets earned weekly Patriot League awards, the conference announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Starting on the track, Jaxon Hammond and Charlotte Richman were named the Track Athletes of the Week. Throwers Robby Manse and Jordan Hecht were named the Field Athletes of the Week. Finally, runner Simone Tillman was named the Women's Rookie of the Week.
Hammond, a dual sport athlete from Memphis, Tenn., broke the program record in the 60m dash with a time of 6.74 to place second on Saturday at the Penn Elite Invitational. The time ranks first in the Patriot League this season and is top 100 in the country. He also had an impressive showing in the 200m, putting together a time of 21.64 – which is eighth all-time at West Point and seven in the conference this season.
On the women's side, Richman shattered the program record in the 3000m with a time of 9:14.28 at the Penn Elite Invitational, which is 12 seconds faster than the previous record. It's the top time in the Patriot League and top 40 in the country this season. She also put together the second-best conference time this season in the mile, running a 4:43.72.
For the second time this season, Manse was named the Field Athlete of the Week after a strong showing in the weight throw and shot put at the Dr. Sander Scorcher in New York City. The senior from Middletown, N.J., threw a personal-best 20.43m in the weight throw to finish in second place. It's the best mark in the conference this season. In the shot put, he finished sixth.
In the women's shot put, Hecht won the event with a throw of 16.07m at the Dr. Sander Scorcher. It's the leading distance in the Patriot League this season. She has finished first in the shot put at all four meets she has competed in this indoor season.
Tillman earned her first Rookie of the Week honor after running a 56.54 in the 400m at the Penn Elite Invitational, which was good for the fourth-best time in the conference this season. She was also part of the 4x400m relay team that set a new program record with a time of 3:42.99.
Coaches Thoughts
Director of Track and Field Mike Smith on Charlotte Richman
"The Penn Elite meet was her opening weekend and while the mile was a rough introduction to the feeling of racing on the track, her 3000m race was a reflection of how quickly she is able to adjust and the quality of her training coming through. She is certainly physically fit at this point in the season, but her relentless will also drove those performances. She has a rare ability to push herself to the very edge of consciousness and then continue to press. It is remarkable. This weekend, she shaved some 15 seconds off her previous personal best of 9:29 and I can't help but think there is more room for improvement as we point toward the championship season."
Assistant Coach Jonathan Graupmann on Jaxon Hammond and Simone Tillman
"Jaxon is coming off a great fall with the Army West Point football program and is carrying that momentum into the track season. Always the silent warrior, Jaxon has put in a tremendous few weeks of practice mastering his craft and opening up the season with a school record in the 60m and the fastest 200m indoor he's ever run for Army track and field, just provides a glimpse of how far Jaxon can go this year.
I couldn't be happier and prouder of Simone for what she has already achieved so far in the early stages of her career. Simone was challenged this fall and had the personal courage to test her limits. Led and mentored by Faith Kibbe, the fruits of her dedication are paying off. Etching her name on the Army West Point top 10 Lists in both the women's 400m and 500m and having her name on a school record just demonstrates how bright the future is for this young cadet."
Assistant Coach Brian Woodbury on Robby Manse and Jordan Hecht
"Robby continued demonstrating competitive excellence versus a very talented Ivy League-heavy field of competitors. He logged three throws over 20m, including his new personal best of 20.43m. We still have some technical details to work on, and I'm excited to see what happens when we put it all together when it matters the most.
Jordan got a preview of just how good she could be last spring at the first round of the NCAA Championship. She had a personal best at that meet and was only a few spots out from competing to be an All-American. This fall was her first true preseason as a thrower, and we are on track to have a very special Cow year and Firstie year ahead. Getting the win at the Armory with a new indoor personal best of 16.07m versus a strong field is exactly where we need to be going into the Star Meet, the Patriot League Championship and beyond."
Up Next
Army track and field is back in action this Friday and Saturday at the Penn State National Invite in University, Pa. Additional information about the meet will be available on goarmywestpoint.com.
Starting on the track, Jaxon Hammond and Charlotte Richman were named the Track Athletes of the Week. Throwers Robby Manse and Jordan Hecht were named the Field Athletes of the Week. Finally, runner Simone Tillman was named the Women's Rookie of the Week.
Hammond, a dual sport athlete from Memphis, Tenn., broke the program record in the 60m dash with a time of 6.74 to place second on Saturday at the Penn Elite Invitational. The time ranks first in the Patriot League this season and is top 100 in the country. He also had an impressive showing in the 200m, putting together a time of 21.64 – which is eighth all-time at West Point and seven in the conference this season.
On the women's side, Richman shattered the program record in the 3000m with a time of 9:14.28 at the Penn Elite Invitational, which is 12 seconds faster than the previous record. It's the top time in the Patriot League and top 40 in the country this season. She also put together the second-best conference time this season in the mile, running a 4:43.72.
For the second time this season, Manse was named the Field Athlete of the Week after a strong showing in the weight throw and shot put at the Dr. Sander Scorcher in New York City. The senior from Middletown, N.J., threw a personal-best 20.43m in the weight throw to finish in second place. It's the best mark in the conference this season. In the shot put, he finished sixth.
In the women's shot put, Hecht won the event with a throw of 16.07m at the Dr. Sander Scorcher. It's the leading distance in the Patriot League this season. She has finished first in the shot put at all four meets she has competed in this indoor season.
Tillman earned her first Rookie of the Week honor after running a 56.54 in the 400m at the Penn Elite Invitational, which was good for the fourth-best time in the conference this season. She was also part of the 4x400m relay team that set a new program record with a time of 3:42.99.
Coaches Thoughts
Director of Track and Field Mike Smith on Charlotte Richman
"The Penn Elite meet was her opening weekend and while the mile was a rough introduction to the feeling of racing on the track, her 3000m race was a reflection of how quickly she is able to adjust and the quality of her training coming through. She is certainly physically fit at this point in the season, but her relentless will also drove those performances. She has a rare ability to push herself to the very edge of consciousness and then continue to press. It is remarkable. This weekend, she shaved some 15 seconds off her previous personal best of 9:29 and I can't help but think there is more room for improvement as we point toward the championship season."
Assistant Coach Jonathan Graupmann on Jaxon Hammond and Simone Tillman
"Jaxon is coming off a great fall with the Army West Point football program and is carrying that momentum into the track season. Always the silent warrior, Jaxon has put in a tremendous few weeks of practice mastering his craft and opening up the season with a school record in the 60m and the fastest 200m indoor he's ever run for Army track and field, just provides a glimpse of how far Jaxon can go this year.
I couldn't be happier and prouder of Simone for what she has already achieved so far in the early stages of her career. Simone was challenged this fall and had the personal courage to test her limits. Led and mentored by Faith Kibbe, the fruits of her dedication are paying off. Etching her name on the Army West Point top 10 Lists in both the women's 400m and 500m and having her name on a school record just demonstrates how bright the future is for this young cadet."
Assistant Coach Brian Woodbury on Robby Manse and Jordan Hecht
"Robby continued demonstrating competitive excellence versus a very talented Ivy League-heavy field of competitors. He logged three throws over 20m, including his new personal best of 20.43m. We still have some technical details to work on, and I'm excited to see what happens when we put it all together when it matters the most.
Jordan got a preview of just how good she could be last spring at the first round of the NCAA Championship. She had a personal best at that meet and was only a few spots out from competing to be an All-American. This fall was her first true preseason as a thrower, and we are on track to have a very special Cow year and Firstie year ahead. Getting the win at the Armory with a new indoor personal best of 16.07m versus a strong field is exactly where we need to be going into the Star Meet, the Patriot League Championship and beyond."
Up Next
Army track and field is back in action this Friday and Saturday at the Penn State National Invite in University, Pa. Additional information about the meet will be available on goarmywestpoint.com.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
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Throws
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Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
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