RICHMOND, Va. – Elon Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Mark Elliston was named the 2026 CAA Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his career, as the league announced its outdoor major awards Thursday.
 
Elliston guided the Phoenix to the 2026 CAA Outdoor Championship in May, marking the program's seventh outdoor conference title since 2015 and its fifth in the past six years. Elon scored 193 points to finish ahead of runner-up Hampton, which totaled 140, while six Phoenix athletes combined to win seven individual conference titles across the two-day meet. Elliston saw 15 Phoenix collect 20 total All-CAA honors at the conference championship by earning podium finishes.
 
The Phoenix followed that performance by qualifying a program-record seven athletes for the NCAA East First Round.
 
Elliston's seventh CAA Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year honor ties him with former George Mason head coach Norm Gordon for the most in conference history. Having completed his 20th season at Elon in 2025-26, Elliston has guided the Phoenix to nine CAA track & field championships, including two indoor titles and seven outdoor titles. He has been named CAA Coach of the Year following each of those championship seasons.
 
2026 CAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field – Major Awards
Field Athlete of the Year: Spirit Morgan (North Carolina A&T)
Track Athlete of the Year: Brianna Charles (Hampton)
Rookie of the Year: Amelia Bawcombe (William & Mary)
Coach of the Year: Mark Elliston, Elon
 
2026 CAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field – All-CAA Honorees (Elon Only)
Alicen Ashley – 3,000m Steeplechase (10:35.74)
Abby Beville – 1,500m (4:24.16)
Katie Blount (2) – 10,000m (34:24.65); 5,000m (17:24.65)
Jenna Gilman (2) – 800m (2:07.28); 4x400m Relay (3:40.71)
Isabella Johnson (2) – Hammer Throw (61.68m); Discus Throw (49.56m)
Lizzie Lopez – Heptathlon (4,930 points)
Hannah Schonhoff – High Jump (1.76m/5'9.25")
Mary Sollars – 4x400m Relay (3:40.71)
Mia Stimpson – 100m Hurdles (13.62)
Greta Urbonaviciute – Heptathlon (4,856 points)
Duna Viñals (2) – 400m Hurdles (58.37); 4x400m Relay (3:40.71)
Gabi Walker – 4x400m Relay (3:40.71)
Hannah Weber – 10,000m (34:33.45)
Jasmine Young (2) – 10,000m (34:53.30); 5,000m (17:27.94)
Jaqueline Zacharias – Javelin Throw (46.14m)
 
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