WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – The Samford University men's and women's track and field teams finished competition at the Southern Conference Indoor Championships on Sunday, March 02, at the JDL Fast Track.

Brandon Bassett, after having a successful first day, turned in more impressive performances that earned himself the Heath Whittle Most Valuable Performer Award; the award is given to the student-athlete who earns the most points in competition.

Senior Ashley Cope earned the SoCon Women's Most Vaulable Field Performer Award and freshman Morgan Johnson was named SoCon Freshman of the Year.

"I couldn't be more excited about the three awards we won this weekend." Head Coach Rod Tiffin said. "Ashley winning the field athlete of the meet and Brandon winning MVP just puts a huge exclamation point on their indoor careers here at Samford."

"Morgan picking up top freshman honors is a look into the future of our program and the young people that are stepping up and taking over the reins." Tiffin exclaimed. "I feel it shows that the women's team is in good hands."
Samford took first in the men's and women's mile, as Adam Jones took the men's title with a time of 4:17.52; Lauren D'Alessio won her third career title in the mile, crossing the finish line in 4:58.51.

Nicole Charley earned an individual SoCon title and broke another Samford record after her 12.58 leap in the women's triple jump.

Justin Emerson placed third in the men's 60m dash with a time of 6.89.

Drew Patterson, after a fourth place finish on day one in the men's heptathlon claimed fifth place overall after he turned in finishes of: sixth in the 60m hurdles (10.03), fifth in the pole vault (3.35m) and third in the 1000m dash (2:52.32).

Aerial Horton posted a PR and claimed seventh place finish in the women's weight throw with a toss of 15.94m.
The men placed third in overall competition scoring 112 points while the women took fourth overall in team scoring with 113.5 points.

Now track and field turns its sights towards the outdoor season and Tiffin believes there is much the team can take away from the indoor season that will translate it into the outdoor competitions.

"We add a bunch of quality athletes that were either hurt, redshirted, or out of indoor eligibility during the indoor season." Tiffin said. "So I am really excited about the outdoor season and the possibility of a championship run."