SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina senior Brandon Hairston and The Citadel freshman Geno Porter have been named the Southern Conference Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for meets over the weekend. The selections are made by the league’s track and field coaches.

Hairston ran a personal record of 48.22 in the 400m at the University of Kentucky Rod McCravy Invitational as he finished seventh overall in a very competitive field. He also ran a leg on WCU’s SoCon leading 4x400m relay team, and is leading the SoCon in the 200m and also ranks fifth in the 60m.

Porter placed sixth in the 35lb. weight at the Wesley Brown Invitational hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy. His toss of 50’ 6.75” broke the freshman school record by over four feet and is currently the sixth best throw in school history. This is the second consecutive week Porter has broken the freshman record after added a foot to the previous record last weekend with a toss of 45’ 11.25”.

Appalachian State’s Amanda Hamilton and Ana DeLeon have been named the Southern Conference’s Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for meets over the weekend. The selections are made by the league’s track and field coaches.

On the track, Hamilton paced the Black and Gold for distance runners as she placed sixth overall in the 3000m, crossing the line at 9:48.20 at the Rod McCravy Invitational at Kentucky. This performance leads the conference.

In the field events, DeLeon threw 53’ 1.75’ in the weight throw at the Kentucky Rod McCravy Invitational. She is currently leading the conference.

Track honorable mentions include: UNCG’s Paul Katam, who finished fourth in the Hokie Invite 3,000m. His time of 8:11.56 was a personal best and gives him the top time in the SoCon by over eight seconds. Katam now leads the conference in both the mile and the 3,000m; Appalachian State’s Alex Taylor, who recorded a personal best of 1:50.81 for 800m while placing fifth at the Rod McRavey Invitational (Univ. of Kentucky).  His time is the second fastest in ASU history and places him on top of the SoCon ranking list.

Field honorable mentions include: Jerod Stalling, Appalachian State.  Stalling placed fourth in the weight throw (61' 8.25") and ninth in the shot put (52' 10") the Rod McRavey Invitational (Univ. of Kentucky). He still leads the SoCon in both events.

Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

Jan. 24 – Nathan Hendershot, Samford

Jan. 30 – Brandon Hairston, Western Carolina

Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

Jan. 24 – Tyler Kemp, Samford

Jan. 30 – Geno Porter, The Citadel

Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

Jan. 24 – Tayla Carter, Western Carolina

Jan. 30 – Amanda Hamilton, Appalachian State

Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

Jan. 24 – RoShani Glover, College of Charleston

Jan. 30 – Ana DeLeon, Appalachian State