NEW ORLEANS – Southern Miss’ Valentino Rudolph and Tyler Nichols have earned recognition as the first Sun Belt Men’s Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week this season for their performances to start the year. 

Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Valentino Rudolph, Southern Miss
(Jr. | Sprints | Orlando, Fla.) 

Southern Miss’ sprinter Valentino Rudolph started the season by winning the 200 meter dash with a time of 20.94 at the Arkansas Invitational over the weekend against SEC and Sun Belt opponents. Rudolph's impact also applied in his role of anchoring the 4x400 relay that currently leads the Sun Belt with a time of 3:12.84. Rudolph ranks sixth nationally in the 200.

Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Tyler Nichols, Southern Miss
{Jr. | Jumps | Clinton, Miss.)

Golden Eagles’ junior jumper Tyler Nichols earned the top spot on the podium for Southern Miss in the men's long jump event with a 7.84 meter mark, defeating multiple SEC and Sun Belt Opponents at the Arkansas Invitational over the weekend. The mark currently ranks him seventh nationally and leads the Sun Belt.

2026 Sun Belt Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Valentino Rudolph, Southern Miss

2026 Sun Belt Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Week 1 – Tyler Nichols, Southern Miss