ATLANTA - Piedmont University's Darius Smith has been named the Collegiate Conference of the South's Men's Track Athlete of the Week for the week of March 20, 2023. 

Track Athlete of the Week | Darius Smith, Piedmont University
The graduate student finished first in the 800 meter at the Lee University Invitational with a time of 1:53.75. The mark currently puts him in the top 15 in the event nationally this spring. 

Field Athlete of the Week | Larry Branch, Berea College
He set a new personal record in the triple jump with a leap of 13.56 meters and placed first in the event. The mark is currently in the top 20 nationwide this spring. 

Rookie of the Week | Kelsey Singleton, Belhaven University
The freshman posted three top-5 finishes at the Belhaven University Invitational. He finished third in the 100 Meters (10.75), 4th in the 200 Meters (21.84) and was a part of the Blazers' 4 x 100 Meter Relay team that also finished third. His marks in the 100 and 200-meters are both in the top 20 nationally currently.

Honorable Mention 
Benjamin Adams, Belhaven
Kelsey Singleton, Belhaven
Noah Reasoner, Berea
Cheney Byrd, Covenant
Campbell Row, Covenant
Clarence McLean, Maryville 
Ethan Jackson, Piedmont
Darius Smith, Piedmont

Weekly Award Winners 
Mar. 20      Darius Smith, Piedmont / Track | Larry Branch, Berea / Field | Kelsey Singleton, Belhaven / Rookie 

ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine members and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.

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