COLUMBUS, Miss. – Sophomore Noel Kellum (Puckett, Miss./Puckett H.S.) has been selected as the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Track & Field Athlete of the Week for field events for the period of April 13-19, 2026, it has been announced by the league office. 

Competing in the discus last Friday (April 17) at the Southeastern Louisiana University Strawberry Relays, Kellum had a heave of 40.84 meters (134'0"). That not only extended his own MUW school record in the event, but was also the top mark in the SLIAC this season. 

Of the eight competitors placing ahead of Kellum at the SLU meet, six were NCAA Division I athletes.

"I'm very proud of Noel for this achievement," Owls Head Coach Dedrick Burnett said. "He's been attempting to get this award all season, and his hard work has finally led him to it. He has consistently thrown 40 (meters) in the discus for the past two weeks, and that sparks a lot of confidence going into conference meet."

Kellum has been the proverbial "Swiss Army Knife" for The W.  Kellum has not only excelled in the discus, but also competed in the shot put and javelin, as well as running anything from sprints to middle distance regularly, to being MUW's first-ever decathlete in 2026. Kellum also runs for the Owls' cross country team, adding distance to his repertoire.