SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Emanuel Tait and Jay Vines have been named the Southern Conference men’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the week, respectively, while Furman’s Allie Buchalski and Samford’s Selena Popp claimed honors on the women’s side, the conference office announced Wednesday. Selections were made a group of the league’s track and field coaches and included competition held Jan. 18-24.
Tait, a true freshman, finished second in the 60mH at the Vanderbilt Invite on Saturday with a time of 7.91. His time lowered his own school record of 8.05, which he set a week ago at the UAB Blazer Invite. Tait, who leads the SoCon in the 60mH by .41 seconds, is the third fastest freshman in the country and is currently ranked 19th overall in the nation.
Vines, a senior, earned a fourth-place finish in his first career heptathlon at the Samford Stand Alone Multi Competition on Thursday. The Dandridge, Tenn., native tallied a score of 4,522 in the one-day event held at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Vines, a top-notch hurdler, excelled in the running events, registering 860 points in the 1,000m run, 797 in the 60mH and 742 points in the 60m dash. His time of 2:41.21 in the 1,000m was the top time of the meet.
Buchalski took first place with a time of 9:13.39 in the 3,000m at the Vanderbilt Invite on Saturday, knocking nearly eight seconds off of her previous Paladin record of 9:21.20, which she set last February. Her time of 9:13.39 is currently the top mark in the SoCon and third-best in the nation.
Popp, a sophomore, placed seventh in pentathlon with a score of 3,608 at the Samford Stand Alone Multi Competition on Thursday. The Hixon, Tenn., native scored 800 points in the 60mH, 830 points in the high jump, 555 points in the shot put, 717 in the long jump and 730 in the 800m run. Her mark of 3,608 points is the top pentathlon score in the Southern Conference.
Also nominated for men’s track athlete of the week: Troy Reeder (Furman, mile).
Also nominated for women’s track athlete of the week: Katrina Semour (ETSU, 200m/400m) and Karisa Neslon (Samford, 3,000m).
Also nominated for women’s field athlete of the week: Jessy Page (The Citadel, weight throw).
SoCon Men’s Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: No Nominees
Jan. 25: Emanuel Tait, Samford, 60mH
SoCon Men’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Scott Peretin, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25: Jay Vines, Samford, heptathlon
SoCon Women’s Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Kyrah Atkins, ETSU, 60mH
Jan. 25: Allie Buchalski, Furman, 3,000m
SoCon Women’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Hailey Cook, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25: Selena Popp, Samford, long jump
-www.SoConSports.com-