SoCon announces cross country runners of the week

Western Carolina’s Drew Zink and Samford’s Edie Smith have been named The Southern Conference men’s and women’s cross-country runners of the week, respectively, after all competition August 30-September 3. 

Zink placed 4th overall, highest finishing SoCon runner, at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone, N.C., with a time of 18:43.4. Zink’s time helped lead the Catamount men to a 3^rd place team finish at the Appalachian State event.  

Smith won the Foothills Invitational in Oxford, Alabama, with a time of 17:44.89, in a field of 169 runners. The Bulldog women finished first after earning four of the top five spots at the Jacksonville State meet.  

Samford returns to action on Sept. 13 at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, AL, while Western Carolina travels to SoCon foe Furman for their invitational meet held in Greenville, SC on Sept. 14. 

Also nominated (Men): Yianni Pothalakis (Mercer - Jr), Kevin Shank (VMI – So)  

Also nominated (Women): Reagan Gilman (VMI - Fr), Nichole Harris (Mercer - Sr), Katherine Hopkins (WCU – So) 

2024 Southern Conference Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week 

Sept. 4        Drew Zink, Western Carolina 

2024 Southern Conference Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week 

Sept. 4        Edie Smith, Samford