- LSC Release

CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M's Esther Conde-Turpin has been named the 2026 Lone Star Conference Women's Athlete of the Year by the league's offices in Richardson, Texas on Monday morning. 
 
Conde-Turpin, a multi-events specialist with the West Texas A&M track and field program, was selected as the LSC Women's Athlete of the Year while Liam Pritchard, a midfielder with the Midwestern State soccer program, was named the LSC Men's Athlete of the Year.
 
The 2026 LSC Athletes of the Year were chosen from a distinguished group of 18 women and 17 men nominated by their respective institutions. The annual awards are determined by vote of the conference sports information directors and media representatives. This is the 28th year the Lone Star Conference has presented its Athletes of the Year awards.
 
Conde-Turpin concluded the year as one of the most top track and field student-athletes in NCAA Division II and the LSC. Over the 2026 season, the senior won two individual national titles, set the Division II heptathlon record (6,161 pts.), and played a key role in West Texas A&M winning the Division II Outdoor Track and Field team title as well as LSC indoor and outdoor team championships. 
 
The French product collected the pentathlon title at the indoor national championships then came back at the outdoor championships to win the heptathlon. Between the two national championships, Conde-Turpin earned All-America citations in five events -- indoor pentathlon, long jump and 60-meter hurdles, and outdoor heptathlon and 100m hurdles.
 
Conde-Turpin's national success was primed at the LSC indoor and outdoor track and field championships. A win in the 60m hurdles and top three placings in long jump, high jump and shot put led to the LSC Indoor Outstanding Field Athlete of the Year award. She then won LSC outdoor titles in the javelin, long jump, 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay and was named LSC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. 
 
Esther earned All-LSC First Team indoor and outdoor citations and was selected South Central Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
LSC Women's Athlete of the Year Award History (WT)
2026 – Esther Conde-Turpin, Track & Field
2025 – Emilee Boyer, Softball
2024 – Florance Uwajeneza, Track & Field
2022 – Zada Swoopes, Track & Field
2021 – Shanna McBroom, Softball
2019 – Fatim Affessi, Track & Field
2017 – Rellie Kaputin, Track & Field
2014 – Renee Erwin, Softball
2009 – Emily Brister, Basketball
2008 – Emily Brister, Basketball
2007 – Emily Brister, Basketball
2006 – Emily Brister, Basketball
2005 – Celeste Stevenson, Basketball
2000 – Sarah Butler, Volleyball