Furman men, Samford women lead after day 1 of OTF Championship

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Samford’s women and Furman’s men lead the SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships after Monday’s first day of competition at Shauna Yelton Field at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium. 

Samford’s women, who have won five straight SoCon outdoor crowns, totaled 67 points. Wofford is second with 40 points and ETSU is third with 38.5. 

Furman’s men hold a one-point lead following day one after accumulating 49, while Western Carolina has scored 48. Samford is third with 45. 

Podium presentations kicked off with the women’s pole vault, where ETSU’s Allison Shingleton earned a gold medal after clearing 3.70m, resulting in a personal best for the Bucs freshman. Samford’s Emerson Simpson and Lindsey Havens rounded out the podium at second and third.  

Wofford senior Danni Emmen claimed the day’s second gold medal in the women’s hammer throw, throwing a heave of 50m. Emily Danielson, The Citadel and Claire Harrison, Samford, finished second and third, respectively. All three athletes set personal records in the event.  

Wofford picked up 10 more points with Sherika Christie’s win in the women’s long jump, clearing 6.07m. Ellison Chadwick of Samford and Tya Blake of ETSU finished in second and third, respectively.  

Also claiming women's titles Monday were Samford’s Erin Longin in the javelin, Furman’s Nicole Matysik in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and Furman’s Emma Jones in the 10,000-meter run. Matysik’s finish was her third win in the event, and second consecutive, after winning in 2022 and 2024.  

On the men’s side, The Citadel’s Ridge Dowe placed first in the hammer throw with a mark of 51.94m. Western Carolina’s Austin Cline and Samford’s Bryce Davis rounded out the event podium.  

Furman’s Carson Williams bested his 2023 record-setting mark to chisel a new record in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. With a time of 8:39.87, Williams shaved nearly seven seconds off the previous record time, claiming first place. The Paladins swept the podium in the event as seniors Ethan Domitrovich and Casey Burr were the next two finishers.  

VMI’s Keyandre Midgett secured his second-consecutive gold medal in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.29m, a season best for the Keydet senior.  

Also securing gold on the men’s side were Samford’s Kyle Kaufelds in the javelin throw, Samford’s Jed Sisco in the pole vault, and Nicholas Goldstein in the 10,000-meter run. Kaufelds bested his gold medal performance from last season by .66m to defend his javelin title.  

 
With half the decathlon in the books, Samford’s Garner Ezell, a freshman, leads with 3,598 points. Damon Worley of Western Carolina is second with 3,590 points and Samford’s Bryce Williamson is in third with 3,500 points.  

With four of the heptathlon events complete, Wofford’s Olivia Bagg leads with 2,941 points. ETSU’s Brianna Baker is in second with 2,916 points and Wofford’s Isabelle Duchemin is in third after scoring 2,785 points. 

 
The SoCon Championships resume Tuesday at 9 a.m. with the multis. Day two will air on ESPN+.  

Men’s results – Day 1 
1. Furman – 49 points 

2. Western Carolina – 48  

3. Samford – 45 

T-4. VMI – 27  

T-4. The Citadel – 27  

6. ETSU – 26  

Women’s results – Day 1 
1. Samford – 67 points 

2. Wofford – 40  

3. ETSU – 38.5 

4. Western Carolina – 25.5 

5. Furman – 24  

6. The Citadel – 20  

Day 1 champions 
Men: Hammer throw Ridge Dowe, The Citadel (51.94m); long jump Keyandre Midgett, VMI (7.29m); pole vault Jed Sisco, Samford (5.00m); javelin Kyle Kaufelds, Samford (63.06m); 3,000-meter steeplechase Carson Williams, Furman (8:39.87*); 10,000-meter run Nicholas Goldstein, Furman (31:03.55) 

 
Women: Hammer throw Danni Emmen, Wofford (50.0m); long jump Sherika Christie, Wofford (6.07m); pole vault Allison Shingleton, ETSU (3.70m); javelin Erin Long, Samford (48.99m); 3,000-meter steeplechase Nicole Matysik, Furman (10:43.37); 10,000-meter run Emma Jones, Furman (37:29.79)  

*Meet record 

Men’s All-Freshman – Day 1 

Men’s hammer throw 
Bryce Davis, Samford  

Colston Thomas, Wofford 

Trez Fouch, Western Carolina 
 

Men’s long jump 
Elijah Cochran, Western Carolina 

Max Smydra, ETSU  

Jay Woodard, The Citadel 

Men’s pole vault 
Jake Cannon, ETSU  

Joey Swick, Wofford 

Men’s javelin 
Grant Winegar, ETSU 

Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase 
Andrew York, Wofford 

Men’s 10,000-meter run 
Rives Boltwood, Furman  

Arthur Langley, Samford  

Women’s All-Freshman – Day 1 
Women’s hammer throw 
Lexie Durban, Western Carolina  

Emmie Finley, Western Carolina 

Emma Johnson, ETSU  

 
Women’s long jump 
Octavia Massena, Western Carolina 

Jayla Simmons, Mercer  

Naomi Pierce, Mercer 

Women’s pole vault 
Allison Shingleton, ETSU  

Emerson Simpson, Samford 

Olivia Burroughs, Wofford 

Women’s javelin 
Lexie Durban, Western Carolina 

Emmie Finley, Western Carolina 

Emma Johnson, ETSU  

Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase 
Deena Lutdke, ETSU  

Abbie Kallbreier, Mercer 

Paula Sandoval, Mercer 

Women’s 10,000-meter run 
Emma Thweatt, Chattanooga