ROCK HILL, S.C. – Anderson University Men's Track & Field Freshman Avery Butler (Seneca, S.C.) has been named the South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year as announced by the conference at the conclusion of the 2026 Outdoor Championships Thursday evening.
 
In just two seasons in Black & Gold, the freshman thrower has already made his mark, setting three program records in the shot put and earning silver at the 2026 Outdoor Championships. The Seneca native opened with a 14.37-meter indoor record at the South Atlantic Conference Championships in March, then turned to the outdoor season where he reset the standard at 15.16 meters at the Electric City Invitational. He later topped that mark with a 15.31-meter throw at the Flames Invitational.
 
Butler capped his freshman season with a second-place finish in the men's discus at the South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, recording a mark of 46.62 meters. He just missed the podium in the shot put at 14.48 meters for fourth place and posted a 39.56-meter throw in the hammer to finish 19th.

"Super proud of Avery for his hard work, day in and day out." said assistant coach (throws) Will Byars. "He progressed well indoor, setting a school record in the shot put. He continued to excel outdoor, shattering the school record in the shot put and excelling in the discus. He has such a strong future ahead of him in the throws."