OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Madison Palek (So.) from The Evergreen State College has been selected as the Cascade Collegiate Conference McDonald's Women's Track Athlete of the Week, presented by Urban Edge Network, for competition between April 20 and April 26. She was chosen for her efforts at the Nancy & Norm Berney Classic at Corban University on Saturday, April 25.

Palek took first place in the women's 5,000-meter race walk on Saturday. She set a personal record of 24:53.88, met the NAIA "A" qualifying standard for the second time this year, and lowered her previous top time by 39 seconds. She remained in second place on the Geoducks' all-time list.

She qualified for the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5,000-meter race walk when she earned a time of 25:32.05 at the UBC Open on Mach 28. The NAIA Championships are set for May 20 through May 22 in Ashville, North Carolina. Palek is ranked third on this season's NAIA performance list.

"What an incredible performance by Maddy," Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson said. "Breaking the 25:00 barrier in the 5k RW this quickly in her career shows her massive potential. I am really excited to see what the postseason brings for us."

Earlier this year, Palek took fourth place in the 3,000-meter race walk and was an All-American at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. She completed the race in 15:13.77.

Evergreen's track and field teams will be in action on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at the Oregon State University High Performance meet in Corvallis, Oregon.