LESTER NAMED KJCCC MEN’S RUNNER OF THE WEEK

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Hutchinson Community College freshman Da'Shawn Lester earned his first career victory and punched his ticket to the NJCAA Outdoor Championships on Friday at the Fort Hays State Alex Francis Classic.

The freshman from Arlington, Texas on Tuesday was named the Jayhawk Conference Men's Runner of the Week.

Lester won the Alex Francis 400 meters with a personal-best and meet-winning time of 47.24 seconds.

In addition to becoming the 21st Blue Dragon national meet qualifier this season, Lester posted the fourth-fastest outdoor 400-meter time in Blue Dragon history.

Lester is the third Blue Dragon athlete to win the conference's weekly honor and is the first to win it in the outdoor season. David Thid and Farren Mangelson won the KJCCC Track Athlete of the Week honors in Week 4 and 6, respectively in the 2025 indoor season.

Lester and the Blue Dragons open the Region 6 Outdoor Championships on Friday in Coffeyville.