The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Tuesday, April 14, that Jeremiah Nubbe and Liam Paneque of the University of Virginia have earned ACC Athlete of the Week honors following standout performances at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C.
The dual recognition highlights a surge in momentum for the Cavaliers’ men’s track and field program, as both athletes delivered high-impact results in their respective field events. The honors approach at a critical juncture in the outdoor season, as the team prepares for a series of high-stakes meets leading toward championship qualifications.
Nubbe was named the ACC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week after securing a victory in the hammer throw. He clinched the top spot on his penultimate attempt, recording a mark of 70.11m (230-0). While the Duke performance was a victory, it serves as a continuation of a dominant spring for Nubbe, who has already established himself as a national contender.
National Standings and the Hammer Throw
Nubbe’s current trajectory is anchored by a season-best throw of 72.64m (238-4), achieved during the 2026 Raleigh Relays. That specific mark has positioned him as the top-ranked hammer thrower in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the No. 4 ranked athlete in the NCAA this season.
The consistency of his marks suggests a high ceiling heading into the postseason. By maintaining a top-five national ranking, Nubbe provides the Cavaliers with a significant advantage in field event scoring, a category where depth often determines the outcome of conference championships.
A Freshman Breakout in Durham
Alongside Nubbe, Liam Paneque earned ACC Men’s Freshman of the Week honors after a multifaceted performance in the jumping events. Paneque recorded personal bests in both the long jump and the triple jump, signaling a rapid ascent within the program’s hierarchy.
In the long jump, Paneque made an immediate statement on his first attempt, leaping 7.36m (24-1.75). This performance earned him a fourth-place finish and officially placed him as the second-best freshman in program history for the event. He followed this with a strong showing in the triple jump, where his opening leap of 14.50m (47-4) with a +0.6 wind reading secured a 10th-place overall finish.
Paneque’s ability to deliver peak marks on first attempts indicates a level of composure and technical precision rarely seen in first-year collegiate athletes, providing the Virginia coaching staff with a versatile asset for the remainder of the outdoor circuit.
| Athlete | Event | Mark | Result/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Nubbe | Hammer Throw | 70.11m | 1st Place |
| Liam Paneque | Long Jump | 7.36m | 4th Place (Freshman Record #2) |
| Liam Paneque | Triple Jump | 14.50m | 10th Place |
Broadening the Cavaliers’ Success
The accolades for Nubbe and Paneque are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend of excellence for the University of Virginia Athletics track and field squad. The duo represents the fourth and fifth Cavaliers to receive ACC weekly honors this outdoor season.
They join a distinguished group of teammates who have already been recognized by the conference for their contributions: Will Daley, Charlotta Sandkulla and Kendric Curry. This distribution of awards across different disciplines—sprints, jumps, and throws—underscores the balanced nature of the current roster.
Looking Ahead: The Virginia Challenge
The focus now shifts to Charlottesville, where the Cavaliers will host the 2026 Virginia Challenge at Lannigan Field. The meet is scheduled to run from Thursday, April 16, through Saturday, April 18.
The weekend is designed to be as much about tradition and community as We see about competition. On Friday, the program will host a distance carnival dedicated to Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni, honoring the legacy of the renowned distance running couple. The event will conclude on Saturday with a senior recognition ceremony and reception, celebrating the departing athletes’ contributions to the program.
As the team transitions to their home turf, the primary objective will be to build upon the ACC Athlete of the Week honors and further solidify their standings before the conference championships.
The next official checkpoint for the team will be the conclusion of the Virginia Challenge on Saturday, April 18, where final marks will determine the seeding for the late-season qualifiers.
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