By Nick Gordon, Leatherneck Athletic Communications 

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois student-athletes Payton Brown and Toriano Tate have been named Western Illinois Student-Athletes of the Month following standout performances for Leatherneck softball and track and field.

Brown earned Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors after delivering one of the top single-game offensive performances in program history in a win over Alabama A&M. The junior totaled seven RBIs and blasted three home runs in the game, with both marks tying Western Illinois single-game records.

Brown powered the Leathernecks' offense throughout the week. Over six games during the award period, she hit .478 (11-for-23) with 15 RBIs, three home runs, and two doubles while posting a .500 on-base percentage and a .957 slugging percentage.

Tate highlighted the month for Western Illinois track and field by capturing the Ohio Valley Conference title in the men's long jump at the OVC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Tate secured the conference championship with a mark of 7.40 meters, leading the Leathernecks at the meet.

His winning jump placed him at the top of the podium against a competitive conference field and stood as one of Western Illinois' top performances at the championships.

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