LONG BEACH, Calif. – For the second consecutive year, Fresno Pacific Track and Field took home a PacWest Athlete of the Year award. This year's back-to-back honor was claimed by senior extraordinaire Shemar Palmer who left his mark time and time again, soaring ahead at the PacWest Championships and the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

As stated by the PacWest Conference, the Male Athlete of the Year Award is given to the best male athlete in the conference between all the men's sports and is voted on by the conference's athletic directors. The previous year, FPU's Brianna Green was the first Sunbird to take home a PacWest Female Athlete of the Year honor, boasting countless honors including USTFCCCA West Region Track Athlete of the Year, PacWest Athlete of the Meet, Scholar Athlete of the Year, and two National Championship titles.

Joining fellow track and field legend Green, the Jamaican-native rightfully earned this honor with his own unforgettable senior campaign. On top of the PacWest Track Athlete of the Year selection, Palmer was recently named the USTFCCCA West Region Track Athlete of the Year for his remarkable performance this season, doubling the honor in back-to-back years. At the PacWest Championships, he was named the PacWest Track Athlete of the Meet for the second consecutive year as well after breaking his own PacWest record in the 200m (20.47) and winning both of his events (200m and 400m) by a landslide. He also played a key role in the PacWest champion 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, contributing to the Sunbird men's conference title.  In addition to his 200m record, Palmer also hold the PacWest's all-time record in the 400m.

At the NCAA DII National Championships, Palmer qualified for the 200m and 400m. He advanced to finals in both events with top finishes amongst the best in the nation. On the final day, the senior Sunbird delivered one of the most impressive meets in program history, earning national runner-up finishes in both the 200m and 400m. Palmer blazed to a lifetime-best and school record time of 45.33 in the 400m, further cementing his legacy as one of Fresno Pacific's premier sprinters. He received First Team All-American honors for his dual silver medals, leading the men's team to a 12th-place national finish.

His excellence across multiple sprint events also earned him USTFCCCA All-West Region honors in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x100 relay, highlighting his versatility and impact on the Sunbirds' success.

"It has been an incredible journey working with Shemar over the past three years," said head coach Robert Foster.  "Watching him develop into a remarkable athlete and become a source of inspiration for both young men and women at FPU has been truly exhilarating. Shemar has been a key part of FPU Track & Field, and I couldn't be prouder of his recent awards and accomplishments. His journey in track and field is just getting started, and I'm excited to see the exciting new chapters that lie ahead in his athletic career. He will be missed in the program, but the next generation of athletes are ready to step in where he left off."

Palmer graduated from Fresno Pacific with his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on Pre-Physical and Occupational Therapy. He closed out his three-year career as one of the most decorated Sunbirds in FPU history.

"Shemar Palmer has been one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the history of Fresno Pacific," mentioned FPU Athletic Director Kyle Ferguson. "During his time here, he has consistently performed at an elite level and represented our university with excellence. This recognition as PacWest Male Athlete of the Year is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and success he has demonstrated throughout his career. We are incredibly proud of what he has accomplished as a Sunbird and look forward to seeing what the future holds for him as he joins the ranks of our alumni."
 
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