SoCon announces indoor track athletes of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina’s Ian Hicks and Kolton Weaver have been named men's indoor track and field athletes of the week, respectively. Additionally, Chattanooga's Maddie Wheatcroft and Stella Henry have been named women's indoor track and field athletes of the week, respectively, the conference office announced Wednesday. 

Selections were made by panels of the league’s track and field coaches and included all competitions from Jan. 7-13.  

The Catamounts opened the 2026 calendar year with a strong showing at the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener on Jan. 10. 

Hicks placed third in the men’s 300m with a time of 34.86. The mark is a personal best for the Western Carolina junior.  

Weaver threw a heave of 15.42m to place second in the men’s shot put, a mark just .21m off his personal best. The sophomore now leads the league in the event. 

The Mocs opened the new year at the UAB Blazer & Vulcan Invite on Jan. 9.  

Wheatcroft broke a 28-year-old program record after recording at 2:57.00 1,000m run. Running in the first heat, the Mocs’ senior finished sixth overall.  

Henry moved into third in the league after recording a personal‑best long jump of 5.82m. The Chattanooga senior jumped over 19 feet for the first time in her career.  

Also nominated: Jada Erwin, WCU – Women's Track, Kendal Hudson, WCU – Women’s Field  

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 

Women’s track  

Dec. 10 – Claire Cook, Furman  

Jan. 14 – Maddie Wheatcroft, Chattanooga  

Men’s field 

Dec. 10 – Arthur Chitty, Samford 

Jan. 14  - Kolton Weaver, Western Carolina 

Women’s field 

Dec. 10 – Ellison Chadwick, Samford  

Jan. 14 – Stella Henry, Chattanooga