SoCon announces indoor track and Field athletes of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Bradley Franklin and Jessica Edwards have been named the men’s and women’s indoor track athletes of the week, respectively. Additionally, VMI’s Cameron Thomas and Western Carolina’s Lexie Durban have been selected as the men’s and women’s indoor field athletes of the week, the conference office announced Wednesday. 

Selections were made by panels of the league’s track and field coaches and included all competitions from Jan. 14–20. 

The Bulldogs hosted the Samford Invite/Open on January 16 and 17. 

Franklin matched his personal best from the 2025 conference championship in the 60‑meter hurdles, running 7.60, the third‑fastest time in the country. The sophomore from Alabaster, Alabama, also posted a league‑leading 6.83 in the 60‑meter dash. 

Edwards claimed the conference lead in the 800 meters with a meet‑winning time of 2:08.05, placing her more than two seconds ahead of the next SoCon competitor. 

VMI also hosted a meet, welcoming competitors to the VMI Team Challenge on January 17. Western Carolina traveled to Tryon for the International Winter Invitational over the weekend. 

Thomas set a new school and personal record in the pole vault, clearing 5.11 meters for a first‑place finish. Ranked 51st nationally, the Keydet junior now leads the SoCon in the event. 

Durban placed fourth overall at Tryon after recording a throw of 15.78 meters in the weight throw. The sophomore, who now leads the conference, improved her personal best by 0.61 meters. 

VMI returns to its home track on Jan. 23 and 24 to host the VMI Invitational. Western Carolina will make its third trip of the season to Mill Spring, North Carolina, on Jan. 30 for the ECE Banked is Best Invitational, while Samford will compete at the South Alabama Invite on Feb. 1. 

Also nominated: Brayden Seymour - Furman (MT), Bradley White – Western Carolina (MT), Ben Thomason - Samford (MF), Austin Cline – Western Carolina (MF), Tess Walter – Furman (WT), JT Shaw – Western Carolina (WF)  

2025-26 Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week   

Men’s track  

Dec. 10 – Bradley Franklin, Samford  

Jan. 14 – Ian Hicks, Western Carolina 

Jan. 21 – Bradley Franklin, Samford 

Women’s track  

Dec. 10 – Claire Cook, Furman  

Jan. 14 – Maddie Wheatcroft, Chattanooga  

Jan. 21 – Jessica Edwards, Samford 

Men’s field 

Dec. 10 – Arthur Chitty, Samford 

Jan. 14  - Kolton Weaver, Western Carolina 

Jan. 21 – Cameron Thomas, VMI 

Women’s field 

Dec. 10 – Ellison Chadwick, Samford  

Jan. 14 – Stella Henry, Chattanooga  

Jan. 21 – Lexie Durban, Western Carolina