SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Citadel’s Malik Diggs and ETSU’s Ben Johnson 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 Lindsey Kessler 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 Feb. 8-14.
Diggs placed first overall in the men’s 60mH at the High Point Team Challenge in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Thursday. The senior crossed the finish line in 8.35 seconds, just 0.05 seconds shy of his top time this season, which he set at the dual meet against VMI on Jan. 28. Diggs currently ranks No. 5 in the SoCon in the 60mH.
Johnson finished sixth for the Bucs in the men’s weight throw at the Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday. The sophomore achieved a distance of 62-0.5 (18.91m), setting a conference best by more than five feet. Johnson currently ranks 84th in the NCAA.
Buchalski, a junior in indoor track, garners her third women’s track athlete of the week distinction this season after setting a program record at the Iowa State Classic in the 5,000m on Friday. Buchalski finished in 15:46.17 to claim first place at the Iowa State Classic and shattered the previous Paladin record of 16:35.17, set by Sinead Haughey in 2015. Buchalski’s time in the 5,000m currently ranks No. 1 on the SoCon performance list and is good for third overall in the NCAA.
Kessler placed third for the Bulldogs at the Samford Invite on Friday after setting a conference best in the women’s pole vault. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native cleared a height of 12-5.5 (3.80m) to win the event and claimed six of the Bulldogs’ 77.5 points, aiding Samford to a second-place team finish.
Also nominated for men’s track athlete of the week: Matthew Moore (ETSU, 60m).
Also nominated for men’s track athlete of the week: Jack Nosbisch (The Citadel, high jump) and Tray Oates (Samford, pole vault).
Also nominated for women’s track athlete of the week: Katrina Seymour (ETSU, 200m/400m/4x400m) and Shian Mallory (Samford, 800m).
Also nominated for women’s field athlete of the week: Adriana Watkins (ETSU, triple jump).
SoCon Men’s Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: No Nominees
Jan. 25: Emanuel Tait, Samford, 60mH
Feb. 1: Greg Henderson, VMI, 60m and 200m
Feb. 8: Matt Moore, ETSU, 60m
Feb 15: Malik Diggs, The Citadel, 60mH
SoCon Men’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Scott Peretin, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25: Jay Vines, Samford, heptathlon
Feb. 1: Tray Oates, Samford, pole vault
Feb. 8: Tray Oates, Samford, pole vault
Feb. 15: Ben Johnson, ETSU, weight throw
SoCon Women’s Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Kyrah Atkins, ETSU, 60mH
Jan. 25: Allie Buchalski, Furman, 3,000m
Feb. 1: Kerisha Goode, VMI, 60m and 200m
Feb. 8: Allie Buchalski, Furman, 3,000m
Feb. 15: Allie Buchalski, Furman, 5,000m
SoCon Women’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19: Hailey Cook, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25: Selena Popp, Samford, long jump
Feb. 1: Tiffani Lewis, Western Carolina, long jump
Feb. 8: Meagan Meadow, Samford, triple jump
Feb. 15: Lindsey Kessler, Samford, pole vault
-www.SoConSports.com-