Hernandez, Banzhaf Earn Pair of ASUN Indoor Weekly Awards
1/20/2026 3:00:00 PM | Men's Track
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Junior Rey Hernandez and freshman Parker Banzhaf both put up stellar runs during their season opener at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational to earn weekly indoor performance honors from the Atlantic Sun Conference, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
Hernandez earned ASUN Men's Indoor Track Performer of the Week, which is the third conference weekly honor of his career, while Banzhaf took home ASUN Men's Indoor Freshman of the Week for the second conference weekly honor of his career.
"Rey [Hernandez] had an amazing opener. He prepared well throughout the fall and over break to come in ready. We know it is going to be a great year, as he is very talented and is continuing to develop potential into results," said Jeff Pigg, Director of Cross Country / Track and Field. "Parker [Banzhaf] had a nice opener as well. Cross country was fine, but he wasn't satisfied with 'fine', as he is taking it to the next level with everything he can control. This is evidence he worked his tail off over break."
Hernandez put together one of the best season openers from an Osprey, as he broke the 60m hurdles program record twice and the 200m record to finish out the meet. Banzhaf made his collegiate track debut with a top-three placement in the 3000m race amongst some of the best runners in the state.
After winning multiple ASUN Freshman of the Week awards during his debut collegiate season, Hernandez is back with his first ASUN Athlete of the Week mark in indoor track. He joins William Owens and Jonathan Bailey as current Ospreys that have earned the conference's athlete of the week during indoor season.
Banzhaf becomes just the second UNF student-athlete in program history to secure ASUN Indoor Freshman of the Week honors, following Jaasiel Torres during the 2019 indoor season. He's the first to win the freshman indoor award as a track runner, as Torres competed in the high jump to earn his honor.
The duo will return this upcoming weekend back in Gainesville, Fla., for the ACSEC Invitational from Jan. 23-24 at Alachua County Sports & Events Center.
Rey Hernandez | Sprints / Hurdles
Junior | Lakeland, Fla.
Parker Banzhaf | Distance
Freshman | Vero Beach, Fla.
Hernandez earned ASUN Men's Indoor Track Performer of the Week, which is the third conference weekly honor of his career, while Banzhaf took home ASUN Men's Indoor Freshman of the Week for the second conference weekly honor of his career.
"Rey [Hernandez] had an amazing opener. He prepared well throughout the fall and over break to come in ready. We know it is going to be a great year, as he is very talented and is continuing to develop potential into results," said Jeff Pigg, Director of Cross Country / Track and Field. "Parker [Banzhaf] had a nice opener as well. Cross country was fine, but he wasn't satisfied with 'fine', as he is taking it to the next level with everything he can control. This is evidence he worked his tail off over break."
Hernandez put together one of the best season openers from an Osprey, as he broke the 60m hurdles program record twice and the 200m record to finish out the meet. Banzhaf made his collegiate track debut with a top-three placement in the 3000m race amongst some of the best runners in the state.
After winning multiple ASUN Freshman of the Week awards during his debut collegiate season, Hernandez is back with his first ASUN Athlete of the Week mark in indoor track. He joins William Owens and Jonathan Bailey as current Ospreys that have earned the conference's athlete of the week during indoor season.
Banzhaf becomes just the second UNF student-athlete in program history to secure ASUN Indoor Freshman of the Week honors, following Jaasiel Torres during the 2019 indoor season. He's the first to win the freshman indoor award as a track runner, as Torres competed in the high jump to earn his honor.
The duo will return this upcoming weekend back in Gainesville, Fla., for the ACSEC Invitational from Jan. 23-24 at Alachua County Sports & Events Center.
ASUN Men's Indoor Track Performer of the Week
Rey Hernandez | Sprints / HurdlesJunior | Lakeland, Fla.
- First career ASUN Performer of the Week award; third men's conference weekly honor of his Osprey career.
- Set three program-record times across two events to open the indoor season at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational.
- Took down his own 60m hurdles record from 2024 in the preliminary round clocking 8.01 for a big Q into the final race.
- Followed up by shattering his record mark from the preliminary 60mH with a 7.89 time placing sixth in the final.
- Ended his career day and season opener with a top finish in the 200m with his third record time of the day at 21.20.
- Placed over athletes of Miami, Florida and Florida A&M across both events.
- Now holds three indoor track records for the Ospreys and eight program records overall.
ASUN Men's Indoor Freshman of the Week
Parker Banzhaf | DistanceFreshman | Vero Beach, Fla.
- First career ASUN Freshman of the Week award; second men's conference weekly honor of his Osprey career.
- Made his collegiate debut with a third overall finish in the men's 3000m earning 8:21.40 at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational.
- Led pack of four Ospreys that placed in the top 15 of their season opener in the 3000m race.
- Placed over athletes from Florida State and USF.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Men's Track
Distance
/ Men's Track
Sprints / Hurdles
/ Men's Track
Sprints
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