SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State's Malcolm Styers was named the Southern Conference Field Athlete of the Month for January, the league announced Friday.

Styers opened 2010 with a first place finish in the weight throw and a fifth place shot put finish at the Tar Heel Invitational January 8. The Newton, N.C. native followed up the next weekend with a personal best weight throw toss of 60-1 at the Appalachian Open to claim another first place finish. Last weekend at the Liberty Open, Styers closed January with a first place finish in the weight throw and a runner-up finish in the shot put.

Styers, who is the reigning SoCon Indoor Champion in both the weight throw and shot put, currently leads the conference in both events with a 60-1 weight toss and a 52-01.25 shot put effort. 

Appalachian State track and field will be out of action this weekend, and return next Friday at the Akron Invitational.