SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Arsène Guillorel claimed the most outstanding track performer on the men’s side, while Furman’s Allie Buchalski took the women’s track honor in awards voted on by the coaches, which were based on performances at the 2016 Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, the league office announced Wednesday. VMI’s Jordan White earned the men’s most outstanding field athlete accolade, and Western Carolina’s Hailey Cook snagged field honors on the women’s side.
Catamount newcomer Jamie Brown was tabbed men’s freshman of the year. Among the women, ETSU’s Kyra Atkins garnered freshman of the year recognition. WCU’s Danny Williamson and Samford’s Rod Tiffin nabbed SoCon Coach of the Year distinction for the men and women, respectively.
Guillorel shattered the SoCon men’s 5,000-meter record on Saturday, clocking a time of 13:55.73. His mark broke the previous league record of 14:06.00, which was set in 1981 by ETSU’s Adrian Leek. It also set a facility record at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The sophomore from Pontchateau, France, added a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:09.62.
Buchalski, like Guillorel, recorded a sweep of the 3,000-and 5,000-meter runs. The junior also posted a win in the mile run with a time of 4:51.84 and contributed 30 points to the Paladins en route to earning most outstanding female athlete honors at the championship.
White, a redshirt junior for the Keydets, finished second in the shot put with a mark of 16.20 meters (53-1.75) and won the weight throw with a heave of 19.21 meters (63-0.25), which was the only throw of 19 meters or longer.
Cook, a junior, swept the shot put and weight throw titles with marks of 14.65 meters (48-0.75) and 17.23 meters (56-6.50), respectively.
After being named the men’s most outstanding athlete for his 24 total points this past weekend, Brown added to his accolades by earning men’s freshman of the year honors. The Knightdale, N.C., product won the men’s long jump title with a leap of 7.28m (23-10.75), adding a second-place finish in the high jump and third-place finish in the triple-jump.
ETSU’s Atkins was named freshman of the year on the women’s side after earning a pair of podium positions. The Greer, N.C., native scored a second-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles and finished third in the long jump.
Williamson garnered his 10th career and third consecutive men’s coach of the year honor after leading the Catamount men to a three-peat in the team competition. Tiffin was named coach of the year on the women’s side following a historic weekend for Samford. He led the Bulldogs to their first indoor track and field championship in program history.
Men’s Awards
Most Outstanding Track Performer
Arsène Guillorel, Samford
Most Outstanding Field Performer
Jordan White, VMI
Freshman of the Year
Jamie Brown, Western Carolina
Coach of the Year
Danny Williamson, Western Carolina
Women’s Awards
Most Outstanding Track Performer
Allie Buchalski, Furman
Most Outstanding Field Performer
Hailey Cook, Western Carolina
Freshman of the Year
Kyra Atkins, ETSU
Coach of the Year
Rod Tiffin, Samford
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