BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Senior Carson Williams established a new meet record in the men's 3,000m Steeplechase, giving the Paladin men's track and field team an early lead Monday in the opening day of the 2025 Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Shauna Yelton Field at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.

A native of Raleigh, N.C., Williams bested his own 2023 record-setting mark by nearly seven seconds, claiming first place with a time of 8:39.87.  The Paladins swept the podium in the event, senior Ethan Domitrovich placing second at 8:57.66 and senior Casey Burr taking third with a time of 9:28.58.

The Furman men also took the top three spots in the men's 10,000m.  Senior Nick Goldstein won gold in 31:03.55, followed by sophomore Owen Shifflett in second with a time of 31:04.84.  Freshman Rives Boltwood placed third at 31:18.22 to earn a SoCon All-Freshman team citation, and senior Foster Wilfong finished eighth at 32:13.96 to complete the Paladin scoring in the event.   

The Paladins scored 49 points in the two events to finish the first day of competition in first place.  Western Carolina in second place with 48 points, followed by Samford in third with 45 points.  

On the women's side, senior Nicole Matysik repeated as the league's 3,000m Steeplechase champion after crossing the line in 10:43.37, and junior Emma Jones won the 10,000m with a time of 37:29.79.  Senior Madelynne Cadeau placed fifth in the 10,000m at 37:47.25.

Furman tallied 24 points in just the two events to sit in fifth place after the first day of competition.  Samford leads the women's meet with 67 points.  Wofford is second with 40 points, and ETSU ranks third with 38.5 points.

Senior Matthew Smith posted the fasted qualifying time in the men's 800m (1:52.80), while freshman Alexander Friedli recorded a personal-best time of 1:58.45 to take 12th place.  On the women's side, four Paladins advanced to Tuesday's 800m final.  Senior Megan Marvin led all runners at 2:11.15, while freshmen Jais Ward qualified fourth at 2:11.83.  Freshman Delaney Vickers recorded the fifth-best qualifying time of 2:11.45, and freshman Claire Cook advanced in sixth place with a time of 2:11.83. 

In the 400m trials, freshman Joe Womack advanced with a time of 49.31.

The meet will conclude on Tuesday, with events airing on ESPN+ beginning at 2 p.m. ET.  Furman will run in the women's 1,500m final starting at 2:12 p.m.   The day concludes with the men's and women's 4x400m relays at 4:28 p.m. and 4:35 p.m., respectively, followed by the awards ceremony.  Thirty events will crown champions on the final day of the meet.

Men's results – Day 1
1. Furman – 49 points 
2. Western Carolina – 48  
3. Samford – 45 
T-4. VMI – 27  
T-4. The Citadel – 27  
6. ETSU – 26 
7. Wofford – 6
8. UNC Greensboro – 5

Women's results – Day 1
1. Samford – 67 points 
2. Wofford – 40  
3. ETSU – 38.5 
4. Western Carolina – 25.5 
5. Furman – 24  
6. The Citadel – 20  
7. Mercer – 12
8. Chattanooga – 5
9. UNC Greensboro – 2

SoCon Championships - Day 1
Complete Furman Results
Men
200m - Prelims
14th Owen Delaney 22.81

400m - Prelims
9th Joe Womack 49.31q

800m - Prelims
1st Matthew Smith 1:52.80Q
12th Alexander Friedli 1:58.45 - PR

10,000m Finals
1st Nicholas Goldstein 31:03.55
2nd Owen Shifflett 31:04.82
3rd Rives Boltwood 31:18.22
8th Foster Wilfong 32:13.96

3,000m Steeplechase Finals
1st Carson Williams 8:39.87 - SoCon Record
2nd Ethan Domitrovich 8:57.66
3rd Casey Burr 9:28.58

Women 
800m - Prelims
1st Megan Marvin 2:11.15Q
4th Jais Ward 2:11.83Q
5th Delaney Vickers 2:11.45Q
6th Claire Cook 2:11.83Q

10,000m Finals
1st Emma Jones 37:29.79
5th Madelynne Cadeau 37:47.25

3,000m Steeplechase Finals
1st Nicole Matysik 10:43.37

Men's SoCon All-Freshman Team – Day 1
10,000m 
Rives Boltwood, Furman