harris-socon
Randall K. Wolf

Men's Track and Field

Harris named SoCon Indoor T&F Male Freshman of the Year

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Alongside Western Carolina's Daniel Coronell, VMI freshman jumper Deonte Harris was named the Southern Conference Co-Freshman of the Year for the 2026 indoor track and field season, the league announced Wednesday.
 
Harris won the triple jump title at last weekend's SoCon Indoor T&F Championships hosted by VMI at the Corps Physical Training Facility. He triple jumped a winning distance of 14.90 meters, a new personal best, for the top highlight of the second day of events for the VMI men. At the SoCon meet, he also competed in the 60m hurdles finals and came in fourth in 8.37 seconds just shy of All-Conference honors for that event.
 
He excelled in the triple jump at other meets during the indoor season, including a second-place jump of 14.69 meters at the VMI Team Challenge January 17 and a second-place distance of 14.38 meters at the VMI Winter Classica few weeks ago.
 
VMI Director of Track and Field Zack Scott
"Deonte proved all season what we've known from day one—he's built for championship moments. Winning the triple jump with a personal best and then coming back to place fourth in the 60-meter hurdles after a personal-best qualifier speaks to his talent, toughness and competitive mindset. Freshman of the Year is earned through consistency, coachability and showing up when it matters most, and Deonte did exactly that. We're proud of him, and we're even more excited about what's next."
 
 
2026 Southern Conference Indoor T&F Specialty Awards
 
Most Outstanding Male Track Performer – Bradley Franklin, Samford
Most Outstanding Female Track Performer – Taylor Jennings-Ward, Wofford
Most Outstanding Male Field Performer – Daniel Coronell, Western Carolina
Most Outstanding Female Field Performer – Sherika Christie, Wofford
Co-Male Freshman of the Year – Deonte Harris, VMI and Daniel Coronell, Western Carolina
Female Freshman of the Year – Tessa Walter, Furman
Men's Coach of the Year – Rod Tiffin, Samford
Women's Coach of the Year – Rod Tiffin, Samford
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Deonte Harris

Deonte Harris

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Deonte Harris

Deonte Harris

Freshman