NATCHITOCHES—Northwestern State associate head coach Adam Pennington has made a significant impact during his nine years in Natchitoches.

Not just members at NSU and in the Southland Conference are taking notice, as Pennington was named the USTFCCCA's South Central Assistant Coach of the Year for the women, announced Thursday.

The South Central Region is comprised of 39 schools, made up of schools in several different conferences, including LSU, Arkansas, Texas and Baylor.

"Typically, the best coaches in the NCAA are winning these awards, so to be mentioned along such an elite group I feel very honored and humbled," Pennington said. "Usually, these awards are taken by power five universities, so I'm a little surprised. Also, I have to thank my athletes and staff because none of this is possible without them."

Led by Pennington's sprints and pole vault groups, the NSU women dominated at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships, winning by whopping 57 points over second place to win its second consecutive indoor team title.

His sprinters and hurdlers won four events, led by Sanaria Butler, who was named Most Valuable Female Performer in the conference meet.

In the 60m, 200m, 400m, 60m hurdles and 4x400 relay in the conference meet, he led a group that picked up four golds, one silver and one bronze.

Butler took home the gold in the 400 and as a member of the 4x400 relay team. She also collected silver in the long jump and bronze in the triple jump.

Lynell Washington (60m) and Vanessa Balde (60m hurdles) also found the top of the podium.

During the season, sprinter/jumper Sanaria Butler ran a 52.92 in the 400 during the season, which is a program and conference record.

He was also instrumental in the pole vault, where Annemarie Broussard earned gold and Madison Brown the bronze.

The track and field teams head to Lafayette for the Louisiana Classics next, starting Saturday.