NEW ORLEANS – The University of La Verne track and field athletes Chancise Watkins, James Francis and Lenore Moreno were each named the West Region Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Wednesday.

Watkins was named the Men's Track Athlete of the Year while Moreno was honored as the Women's Track Athlete of the Year.

Francis was named the Field Athlete of the Year.

Watkins, a senior from Blythe, Calif., is ranked No. 12 in Division III at the 200 meters and has qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championships. Watkins sprinted to a time of 21.77 at the Mountain T's Invitational hosted by the Northern Arizona University in February, coming in second place in a crowded field.

Moreno posted the top Division III time of the season in the 5000 meters with a 16:45.41 at the Husky Classic hosted by the University of Washington on Feb. 14 and she will contest the event in the national championship meet. The West Covina native is considered one of the favorites in the event.

Francis, a senior from Pasadena, is ranked 21^st nationally in the long jump at 23 feet, 1 ¼ inches (7.04m), a winning mark he posted at the Run for the Dream Invitational in Fresno.

The Division III Indoor Track & Field National Championships begins this Friday in Lincoln, Neb. Complete information can be found HERE.