LAS VEGAS – Wyoming track & field athlete
Elayna Chafee was named the 12
th recipient of the Mountain West’s Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award.
Established in 2005-06 and renamed in honor of the late UNLV faculty athletics representative Hal Rothman in 2007, the Mountain West Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award is presented to a student-athlete in a MW-sponsored sport who has distinguished him or herself through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The student-athlete also must demonstrate good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting and be in good academic standing.
Chafee was selected by the MW Recognition Committee, which is made up of athletics directors, senior woman administrators and faculty athletics representatives from around the league.
While competing in the triple jump of the 2026 Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Championships, Chafee was awarded a jump distance that placed her in third. The jump was about three feet further than her season average and one and a half feet longer than her career best. It was obvious to Chafee that the measurement was a mismark, however it was officially recorded and could not be changed. Chafee decided to not step on the third-place podium to accept her medal and instead presented the medal to another athlete who she believed was the rightful third-place award recipient.
The Casper, Wyoming, native is the first Wyoming student-athlete to win the Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award since 2006-07 and is just the second-ever women’s track & field athlete to earn the honor.
Past winners
2025-26: Elayna Chafee, Women’s Track & Field, Wyoming
2024-25: Katy McCarter, Women's Swimming & Diving, New Mexico; Jackson Woodard, Football, UNLV
2023-24: Habtom Samuel, Men’s Track & Field, New Mexico
2013-14: Chari Hawkins, Women’s Track & Field, Utah State
2012-13: William Kent, Men’s Track & Field, Air Force
2011-12: Dalton Boatright, Men’s Fencing, Air Force
2010-11: Daniel Trapani, Men’s Fencing, Air Force
2008-09: Erin Lorenzen, Rifle, TCU
2007-08: Peter French, Men’s Fencing, Air Force
2006-07: Kevin Bretting, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Wyoming
2005-06: Katie Battazzo, Women’s Soccer, Utah
Note: Award may not be presented annually.