BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford men's and women's track program kicked off its season last week as they competed at the CCG Bham Collegiate Ice Breaker at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Friday. Their performance earned three individuals, Ellison Chadwick, Arthur Chitty, and Bradley Franklin, Southern Conference weekly awards when the conference office released them this afternoon.

Chadwick took first place in the women's long jump at the season-opening event. She set a personal best with a mark of 6.06 meters and bested second place in teammate Kierra Abrahams, who finished with a best of 5.87 meters. Chadwick is coming off two second-place finishes at the indoor and outdoor SoCon Championships last season.

Chitty earned SoCon accolades after winning the men's high jump on Friday. He cleared 2.16 meters to beat the field and earn the season-opening win. The Alabama native took first and second place in the high jump last season during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

After a record-setting freshman season that saw Franklin go all the way to nationals, he picked up right where he left off by winning the men's 60-meter hurdles. He set a meet record with a time of 7.71 seconds, beating the field by a quarter of a second. 

The Bulldogs are back in action on Jan. 16-17 when they host the Samford Invite and Open. All indoor meets this season before the SoCon Championship will take place at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

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