University of Tennessee Athletics
Cedricka Williams Tabbed SEC Women's Newcomer Field Athlete of the Year
June 08, 2026 | Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Tennessee junior thrower Cedricka Williams was selected by the league's head coaches as the 2026 SEC Outdoor Women's Newcomer Field Athlete of the Year. The discus specialist enjoyed a record-breaking debut campaign with the Lady Vols during the 2026 outdoor season, culminating in a silver medal in her signature event at the SEC Outdoor Championships.
After arriving on Rocky Top as the NJCAA Division I national record holder in the discus, Williams wasted no time making her mark on the Lady Vol program. The Ocho Rios, Jamaica, native broke Tennessee's 49-year-old school record in the discus with a toss of 60.57 meters (198-9) at the Tennessee Invite on April 11 and later improved that mark to 60.76 meters (199-4) at the Jim Green Invitational on May 2.
Williams finished runner-up in the discus final at the 2026 SEC Outdoor Championships, recording a mark of 60.64 meters (198-11) to match Tennessee's best finish in the event at the conference meet since 2021. Through conference championship weekend, she was one of only two athletes in the nation to surpass the 60-meter mark at three different collegiate meets during the 2026 season.
Tennessee heads into the final phase of the outdoor postseason this week in Eugene, Oregon, at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The national meet runs Wednesday through Saturday at historic Hayward Field.
After arriving on Rocky Top as the NJCAA Division I national record holder in the discus, Williams wasted no time making her mark on the Lady Vol program. The Ocho Rios, Jamaica, native broke Tennessee's 49-year-old school record in the discus with a toss of 60.57 meters (198-9) at the Tennessee Invite on April 11 and later improved that mark to 60.76 meters (199-4) at the Jim Green Invitational on May 2.
Williams finished runner-up in the discus final at the 2026 SEC Outdoor Championships, recording a mark of 60.64 meters (198-11) to match Tennessee's best finish in the event at the conference meet since 2021. Through conference championship weekend, she was one of only two athletes in the nation to surpass the 60-meter mark at three different collegiate meets during the 2026 season.
Tennessee heads into the final phase of the outdoor postseason this week in Eugene, Oregon, at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The national meet runs Wednesday through Saturday at historic Hayward Field.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track & FieldTuesday, April 21
Monday, April 13
Monday, April 06
Wednesday, March 18
