INDIANAPOLIS -- Bettering her own American record in the women's shot put at the USATF Indoor Championships*, Chase Jackson (Springfield, IL/USATF Illinois) earned recognition as the eighth USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2026.
A two-time World Athletics Championships gold medalist and holder of the American indoor and outdoor records in the shot put, Jackson improved her own national standard at the USATF Indoor Championships at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York, blasting a 20.44/67-0.75 in round five to add 20cm to the record she set last year in Poland.
After a foul on her opening attempt, Jackson hit 18.75/61-6.75 in round two to take a lead she wouldn't relinquish, and she steadily improved through her series with throws of 19.10/62-8 and 19.27/63-2.75 before her big toss. It was the fifth American record performance of her career and earned her a fourth straight USATF Indoors gold.
Other top performances from last week:
Nick Christie bettered the American record and won his eighth career indoor title with a 19:13.37 in the 5000 race walk at the USATF Indoor Championships. That took more than two seconds off the record set by Tim Seaman in 2006.
Lauren Harris bettered the American record and defended her title at the USATF Indoor Championships, clocking 22:14.69 in the women's 5000 race walk to take more than nine seconds off the AR set by Miranda Melville in 2018.
Zach Bradford became the sixth American member of the 6.00-meter club in the men's pole vault with his lifetime best of 6.01/19-8.5. That height moved him to third on the all-time U.S. indoor performer list.
Wesley Kiptoo won the men's USATF Half Marathon Championships title in Atlanta by 15 seconds with a time of 61:15.
* – all American records are subject to verification by the USATF Records Committee.
Now in its 25th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2026 Winners: January 15, Jonathan Simms; January 22, Michelle Rohl; January 29, Josh Hoey; February 5, Roisin Willis; February 12, Jordan Geist; February 19, Cole Hocker; February 26, Cynthia McNamee; March 5, Chase Jackson.
We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.
Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.