COLONIA, NJ (Feb. 3, 2026) - For the third time this season, Mark Linton bettered his own GCU record in the weight throw. This time though, two season firsts came with it. For the first time this season, Linton earned the East Coast Conference (ECC) Men's Field Athlete of the Week award.

Also a first this season for Linton, his record-breaking throw of 18.43m (60-5.75) was an NCAA Division II qualifying mark. He leads the ECC and sits 36th in Division II. After the first round of throws, Linton was in second place in the event. He uncorked his national qualifying throw on his fifth attempt which was enough to win the event at the Alvernia PLEX Shootout.

Linton also competed last week in the shot put. He threw a season-best 14.22m (46-8) to finish fourth overall, third among NCAA competitors. It also sits fourth in the ECC this season. He joins four other Lions as GCU has five of the top-six marks in the ECC in the shot put this year. 

This is Linton's first ECC weekly honor of his career. He was a CACC Field Athlete of the Week once outdoors in 2025. 

Indoor Track and Field is the only sport Georgian Court competes in as a part of the ECC. Thus the weekly award coming from the ECC rather than the CACC, which does not sponsor Indoor Track and Field. 

In addition to Linton the following made the ECC Weekly Honor Roll: Brian Kutney, Barone Vankline, Daizhae' Brown, and Adrianna Fodera.