Brunel Desinor

Western Kentucky track and field junior Brunel Desinor has been named Conference USA Male Newcomer of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.

“Brunel is a hard worker that thrives in tough competition,” WKU associate track and field coach Anthony Acklin said in a news release. “He embodies the WKU spirit. We need more like him. Excited to see him progress.”

The sprinter came to WKU following a stint at Ave Maria. Desinor competed for the Hilltoppers during both the indoor and outdoor campaigns, running in the 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400 meters. During the indoor slate, Desinor finished in the top five on five occasions and competed at the CUSA Indoor Championships, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in the 400.

Throughout the outdoor season, he competed in two meets, finishing in the top five in each event. At the CUSA Outdoor Championships, he ran in the 400, 4×100 and 4×400. The native of Pompano Beach, Florida, finished the meet with a pair of podium finishes. He took third place in the 400 with a season-best time of 47.10 seconds. He also was a member of the bronze medal-winning 4×100 relay team.

Desinor is the first Hilltopper to earn the honor of Newcomer of the Year since WKU joined the league in 2014.