ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - It has been quite the start to the winter season for Colorado State Univeristy Pueblo Track and Field, as the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) annouynced on Monday Afternoon that Helen Braybrook (Frieston, United Kingdom) is this week's National Athlete of the Week.

This marks the second straight week that CSU Pueblo has had an athlete named to the award, as fellow countryman Reece Sharman-Newell (Hampshire, England) won the award last week after his record setting performance at the Colorado Classic in Boulder.

Braybrook, a decorated All-American for Head Coach Matt Morris and the ThunderWolves made more history over the weekend on the campus of the University of New Mexico in 600 meters, breaking an NCAA Division II record with a time of 1:30.40, only trailing Camille Laus, a professional runner from Atlanta by three seconds. 

Braybrook said after the meet, "It is an incredible honor to break an NCAA Record. I know what I am capable of doing, and what this team is capable of doing. This is only the start, do not sleep on us."

Braybrook had another successful Saturday, as the Brit dominated the NCAA field in the Women's 800 meters, finishing third, but defeating every NCAA Athlete in the field with a time of 2:05.44 to earn an NCAA Provisional in the event she specializes in. Her time of 2:05.44 was the fourth best mark of all time at the Division II level. It was only last summer that Braybrook nearly qualified for the Olympics in the 800 last summer. 

Braybrook, who hadn't raced collegiately since the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships, has now set personal bests in her first three races back. It sure helps to be seeded with professional talent, as this weekend athletes from Atlanta Track Club Elite and Brooks Beasts TC provided an extra challenge, setting the pace just ahead. 

This marks the first time in program history that a female athlete from CSU Pueblo has been named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season.