KINGSVILLE, Texas - Closing the season with a bang, Thomas Nieto was named the USTFCCCA South Central Region and Lone Star Conference Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year on Monday afternoon in announcements by both offices.

The junior from Ibagué, Colombia had a stellar year for the Javelinas, securing the silver medal in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships as he also did during the indoor season. Nieto was also named a First Team All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Nieto was the top performer for LSC in the men's pole vault all year, winning the silver medal at the David Noble Relays and gold at the Tom Tellez Invitational. 

His performance at the Tom Tellez Invitational was especially noteworthy, with a 5.50m (18' 0.5") vault on his first attempt. The height broke his personal best of 5.47m set at the 2024 LSC Indoor Championships, tied the TAMUK and Colombian national records, and came in at the ninth-highest vault all-time in Division II.

At the LSC Outdoor Championships, Nieto beat out fellow Javelina Reid Barba for the gold medal with a 5.06m (16' 7.25") vault, sweeping the indoor and outdoor conference championships for the men's pole vault.

Nieto was named First Team All-LSC and won two LSC men's field athlete of the week awards for the outdoor track & field season.