SPARTANBURG, SC – Chattanooga senior Jack Martin and Tennessee Tech freshman Lakin Hailey were named SoCon Cross Country Athletes of the Week for races held between September 30 and October 6.
 
Martin (Charlotte, TN) ran a time of 24:29.7 to finish 14^th in the men’s 8K race at the 2026 Georgia Tech Invitational. His effort helped the Mocs finish fourth in the team standings. Martin’s time was the best of his career to date, nearly one second better than his 8K showing at the Southern Showcase on September 18 earlier this season.
 
Hailey (Rockvale, TN) continued a strong first campaign with the Golden Eagles, finishing eighth in the 6K women’s race at the 2026 Fire Tower Project with a personal-best time of 21:07.3 – 18 seconds faster than the next closest competitor. She helped Tennessee Tech to a third place finish as a team, just behind champion Virginia Tech and William & Mary.
 
Also Nominated (Men): Zak Myles Hawkins, So., Tennessee Tech (Brisbane, Australia)
Also Nominated (Women): Leila Hailey, Fr., Chattanooga (Rockvale, TN)
 
2026-27 SoCon Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Sep 9 – Mackenzie Armstrong, So., ETSU (Wheaton, IL)
Sep 16 – Tessa Walter, So., Furman (Colorado Springs, CO)
Sep 23 – Nikki Harris, Gr., Mercer (Ocala, FL)
Sep 30 – Tessa Walter, So. Furman (Colorado Springs, CO)
Oct 7 – Lakin Hailey, Fr., Tennessee Tech (Rockvale, TN)
 
2026-27 SoCon Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
Sep 9 – Will Poelker, So., Mercer (St. Louis, MO)
Sep 16 – Chris Knight, Sr., Furman (Signal Mountain, TN)
Sep 23 – Garrett Hawkins, So., ETSU (Knoxville, TN)
Sep 30 – Chris Knight, Sr., Furman (Signal Mountain, TN)
Oct 7 – Jack Martin, Sr., Chattanooga (Charlotte, TN)