EIU track & field rookie, Layla Bonilla has jumped right out of the gate in her first season at Eastern Illinois. For her impressive performance at the 2026 EIU John Craft Invite, Bonilla was named the OVC Freshman Female Athlete of the Week. Layla competed in the High Jump and Triple Jump.  

Layla earned gold in the Women's Triple Jump with a mark of 11.80m (38'8.75"), which ranks 8th in the EIU record book. Along with her school top ten finish, her triple jump score is first in the Ohio Valley Conference.  

Bonilla rounded out her weekend by securing a podium placement in the High Jump. Layla finished second in the high jump with a 1.63m (5'4.25") mark. Her high jump score is ranked 7th in the Ohio Valley Conference.  

OVC Weekly Award List:

Track - Male 

Robert Hooper, Tennessee State 

Track - Female 

Chanel Honeywell, Lindenwood 

Field - Male 

Marshall Swadley, Southeast Missouri 

Field - Female 

Clara Billing, Southeast Missouri 

Freshman - Male 

Matt Pluff, Southeast Missouri 

Freshman - Female 

Layla Bonilla, Eastern Illinois