SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Samford University track and field standout Tray Oates received one of the Southern Conference's four weekly Athlete of the Week awards Wednesday as the Bulldogs' junior was named the Indoor Field Athlete of the Week, it was announced by the league's headquarters.
 
Samford's Oates earned the honor after winning the men's pole vault at the Kevin Stephen Invite in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday with a mark of 17-4.5. He currently holds the top mark in the SoCon and is ranked No. 19 among Division I competitors in the event.
 
Selections were made a group of the league's track and field coaches and included competition held Jan. 25-31.
 
The Samford University track and field team will next be in action this weekend as the Bulldogs head to Johnson City, Tennessee, for the 2017 Buccaneer Invitational, which will be hosted by East Tennessee State University.
 
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SoCon Men's Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19:  No Nominees
Jan. 25:  Emanuel Tait, Samford, 60mH
Feb. 1:  Greg Henderson, VMI, 60m and 200m
 
SoCon Men's Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19:  Scott Peretin, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25:  Jay Vines, Samford, heptathlon
Feb. 1:  Trey Oates, Samford, pole vault
 
SoCon Women's Indoor Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19:  Kyrah Atkins, ETSU, 60mH
Jan. 25:  Allie Buchalski, Furman, 3,000m
Feb. 1:  Kerisha Goode, VMI, 60m and 200m
 
SoCon Women's Indoor Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 19:  Hailey Cook, Western Carolina, shot put
Jan. 25:  Selena Popp, Samford, long jump
Feb. 1:  Tiffani Lewis, Western Carolina, long jump