SoCon announces indoor track and field athletes of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – VMI’s Richard Edwards and Rafe Clendenin have been named the Southern Conference men’s indoor track and field athletes of the week, respectively. Additionally, VMI’s Eleyah Armstrong and Wofford’s Sherika Christie claimed women’s track and field athlete of the week honors, respectively, the conference office announced Wednesday.  

Selections were made by panels of the league’s track and field coaches and included all competition from Jan. 22-28. 

On Jan. 24-25, VMI hosted the VMI Invitational. During the event, Edwards claimed a second-place finish in the 400m with a time of 48.88. His performance is the second fastest time in the SoCon this season.  

Clendenin racked up two top five finishes at the VMI invitational, placing fourth in weight throw and fifth in shot put, with distances of 16.52m and 15.17m, respectively. The 16.52m recorded in the weight throw is a new personal best for the sophomore.  

Armstrong ran the 60m race in a time of 7.48 during the preliminary round of the VMI Invitational on Jan. 24, to lead SoCon performances. In the finals, Armstrong placed third, finishing with a time slightly above her prelim performance at 7.54.  

On Jan. 24, Christie, a sophomore, set a personal best in the pentathlon with 3,694 points, claiming second place at the Orange and Purple Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina. Christie also competed in the shot put, long jump, and high jump events, finishing first, second, and second, respectively. With her performances in the long jump, 5.91m, and high jump, 1.68m, Christie is now first in the SoCon in both events.  

VMI will host their third event of the indoor season as the Keydets welcome teams for the VMI Winter Relays on Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Wofford’s indoor track season will continue in Lexington, Virginia, as the Terriers visit VMI on Feb. 8 for the VMI Winter Classic.  

Also nominated (Men):  

Also nominated (Women): Micailah Cook (Track – ETSU), JaKayla Campbell (Track – Wofford), Lexi Carter (Field – ETSU)  

2024-25 Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week   

Men’s track   

Dec. 11 Dylan Schubert, Furman 

Jan. 15 Zachary Denton, VMI 

Jan. 22 Bradley Franklin, Samford 

Jan. 29 Richard Edwards, VMI 

Women’s track  

Dec. 11 Kaylie Armitage, Furman 

Jan. 15 Naturale Faison, VMI   

Jan. 22 Megan Marvin, Furman 

Jan. 29 Eleyah Armstrong, VMI 

Men’s field  

Dec. 11 No nominations 

Jan. 15 Cameron Thomas, VMI  

Jan. 22 Keyandre Midgett, VMI 

Jan. 29 Rafe Clendenin, VMI 

Women’s field 

Dec. 11 No nominations 

Jan. 15 Morgan Fraser, VMI  

Jan. 22 Antonina Tereshchenko, Samford 

Jan. 29 Sherika Christie, Wofford