LARAMIE, Wyo. (July 23, 2026) – The Mountain West Conference announced on Wednesday that University of Wyoming track and field student-athlete Elayna Chafee earned the Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award for her actions at the MW Indoor Championships this past season. She is the first Cowgirl student-athlete to earn the award since it was established in 2006.

Established in 2005-06 and re-named in honor of the late UNLV faculty athletics representative Hal Rothman, the Mountain West Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award is presented to a student-athlete in a MW-sponsored sport who has distinguished him or herself through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The student-athlete also must demonstrate good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting and be in good academic standing.

"Elayna has been a model athlete, student, and person over the length of time that she was a member of our institution and team," associate head coach Quincy Howe said.  "Even through the circumstances that warranted her nomination for the MW Hal Rothman Sportsmanship Award, she remained steadfast in her belief of what was right, regardless of what the outcome would be. I am so pleased that she has been recognized for this. It is a true testament to who she is as a person."

During the triple jump of the MW indoor conference championship, Elayna Chafee was awarded a jump distance that placed her third in the competition. 
 
The jump in question was around three feet better than her season average and over 1.5 feet better than her career best. It was obvious to everyone in the venue, including Elayna, that the measurement was anomalous to what she had jumped on the day and was an obvious mismark. 
 
Even though it was officially recorded and could not be changed, Elayna was not ok with accepting the third place medal, she decided to not step onto the podium and instead presented the medal to someone she believed was the rightful award recipient.

Chafee, from Casper, Wyo., graduated this spring with her degree in Kinesiology & Health Promotions and is now pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Over her career as a Cowgirl, she posted four Top 10 program marks in the indoor long and triple jump, outdoor triple jump and 4x100-meter relay.