Top 20 Athletics & Sports from Durham on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: October 21, 2026

Total Athletics & Sports Influencers in Durham, United States of America

161

Expected Reach

1.5M

Total Followers

5.9M

Avg Engagement

5.41%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Mady Harvey
@mady18h
D1 gymnast | @unhgymnastics 🐾 training, daily life, and more 💕 collabs and inquiries: harveymadison06@gmail.com
Durham, United States of America
90.7K
Followers
14.59%
Engagement
+12.8%(+10.3K)
8.0
2
Matty Campbell
@matty___campbell
BIONIC from Gladiators 🦾 @bionicthegladiator ESN 💪 - MATTY Agent📕 - emma.forde@hbtalent.tv Latest YouTube video👇 📺
Durham, United States of America
47.7K
Followers
2.94%
Engagement
+5.5%(+2.5K)
7.9
3
Kara Lawson
@karalawson
Speaking Inquiries- Jeme.Obeime@caa.com Other Inquiries- Ali.Hoesly@duke.edu
Durham, United States of America
67.4K
Followers
4.04%
Engagement
+2.4%(+1.6K)
7.5
4
SOFLETE - Fitness & Wellness Technology
@sofletehq
The human performance company for combat athletes. Official Human Performance Partner @marinereconfoundation @1mwave @specialforcesfoundation_
Durham, United States of America
183.6K
Followers
0.86%
Engagement
+0.7%(+1.4K)
6.3
5
Duke Women's Basketball
@dukewbb
#KaraEra #𝕿𝖍𝖊𝕾𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖍𝖔𝖔𝖉
Durham, United States of America
141.8K
Followers
5.26%
Engagement
+0.8%(+1.2K)
6.5
6
Jamie Smith
@bling_your_swing
⛳️GOLF CLUB CUSTOMISER⛳️ INTEREST FREE CREDIT AVAILABLE Global Orders 🚚 All model Sky Repairs/custom woods OEM original finish-laser engraving🔥
Durham, United States of America
30.6K
Followers
0.39%
Engagement
+3.1%(+914)
6.5
7
CHRIS MCCREADIE - ONLINE COACH
@khifiewest_
Coaching 👉🏻 @madebykhifie_ 🌎| @officialgasp / @hr.labs - KHIFIE15 💪| @strengthshop - KHIFIEWEST ⬇️ WORK WITH ME 1-1 HERE ⬇️
Durham, United States of America
69.2K
Followers
2.50%
Engagement
+1.3%(+863)
7.5
8
KIT
@jkit05
$TAIN E.S.N 🥷🏿 Bryant Street🤱🏾
Durham, United States of America
15.8K
Followers
5.76%
Engagement
+4.6%(+688)
8.4
9
Jon Scheyer
@jscheyer
#DreamBiggest
Durham, United States of America
103.3K
Followers
9.07%
Engagement
+0.6%(+607)
5.4
10
Jada Stone
@jada.stoneee
@tnawrestling Knockout. 9/8c EVERY Thursday On @amc_tv . The Spark 🔥 bookjadastonepro@gmail.com
Durham, United States of America
15.7K
Followers
3.91%
Engagement
+3.6%(+550)
8.8
11
Ranger Up
@rangerup
Military, patriotic, and MMA lifestyle brand with one goal: to make the best shirts and products on the planet.
Durham, United States of America
331.1K
Followers
0.07%
Engagement
+0.1%(+458)
4.6
12
Luke Altmyer
@lukealtmyer
Look to the Stars @detroitlionsnfl Business Inquiries: peter@qbreps.com
Durham, United States of America
37.2K
Followers
24.93%
Engagement
+1.2%(+454)
6.6
13
Mark Williams
@markwilliams
757 // @Jumpman23
Durham, United States of America
134.2K
Followers
6.76%
Engagement
+0.3%(+389)
7.0
14
Josh Lowe
@joshlowe2
@angels || @iamsecond
Durham, United States of America
26.1K
Followers
22.26%
Engagement
+1.2%(+314)
8.4
15
John Antonelli
@antonelli
Building @realapp Started @bball
Durham, United States of America
17.9K
Followers
25.82%
Engagement
+1.7%(+296)
9.5
16
Ella Stevens
@ellahstevens
@bostonlegacyfc Duke Alum @urbanwarriors606
Durham, United States of America
19.7K
Followers
0.23%
Engagement
+1.4%(+278)
5.4
17
Nolan Smith
@ndotsmitty
Head Men’s Basketball Coach @tsutigersmbb 🐅🏀 Retired @NBA | NCAA Champion 2010 🏆 Husband. Father. Son. Brother. 🖤✊🏾
Durham, United States of America
94.9K
Followers
2.51%
Engagement
+0.3%(+271)
7.8
18
Vanessa de Jesus
@vanessadejesus1
CA | 🇵🇭🇺🇸 |@ndwbb #2
Durham, United States of America
15.6K
Followers
15.54%
Engagement
+1.2%(+191)
9.5
19
QUINN RILEY
@_quinn_riley_
Pro Golfer 🇯🇲 | NC📍 Junior Golf Consultant Duke Alum | PGA Tour Americas Partnerships: w.quinnriley@gmail.com @callawaygolf
Durham, United States of America
10.1K
Followers
2.14%
Engagement
+1.7%(+169)
6.9
20
Holley Samuel MEd, RD, CSSD, CPT
@holleyfuelednutrition
🏃‍♀️ Run Faster • Fuel Smarter 🥑 Ditch diets & fuel your body right 🔥 Strength, speed & injury-free training 🎙️ Podcast + Coaching ⬇️
Durham, United States of America
38.0K
Followers
2.71%
Engagement
+0.4%(+160)
7.5

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Durham with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Athletics & Sports content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 1.5M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 5.9M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 5.41% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 161 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

Audience analysis is currently unavailable.

  • Top Markets: no data
  • Gender Distribution: no data
  • Primary Age Group: no data
  • Languages: no data

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Athletics & Sports niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weeklyto ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Durham on Instagram?

Mady Harvey (@mady18h) is, as of October 2026, the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Durham on Instagram, with +12.8% monthly growth (+10.3K followers).

How many followers did Mady Harvey (@mady18h) gain last month?

Mady Harvey (@mady18h) gained about 10.3K followers last month (+12.8%).

Who grew more: Mady Harvey (@mady18h) or Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell)?

Mady Harvey (@mady18h) grew more than Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) (10.3K vs 2.5K).

How is Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) performing right now?

Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) is growing at +5.5% (+2.5K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.9 and average engagement of 2.94%.

How is Kara Lawson (@karalawson) performing right now?

Kara Lawson (@karalawson) is growing at +2.4% (+1.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.5 and average engagement of 4.04%.

How is SOFLETE - Fitness & Wellness Technology (@sofletehq) performing right now?

SOFLETE - Fitness & Wellness Technology (@sofletehq) is growing at +0.7% (+1.4K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.3 and average engagement of 0.86%.

How is Duke Women's Basketball (@dukewbb) performing right now?

Duke Women's Basketball (@dukewbb) is growing at +0.8% (+1.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.5 and average engagement of 5.26%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) or Kara Lawson (@karalawson)?

Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) leads (5.5% vs Kara Lawson (@karalawson) 2.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Mady Harvey (@mady18h)?

Mady Harvey (@mady18h) gained about 10.3K followers last month (+12.8%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell)?

Matty Campbell (@matty___campbell) gained about 2.5K followers last month (+5.5%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Kara Lawson (@karalawson)?

Kara Lawson (@karalawson) gained about 1.6K followers last month (+2.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of SOFLETE - Fitness & Wellness Technology (@sofletehq)?

SOFLETE - Fitness & Wellness Technology (@sofletehq) gained about 1.4K followers last month (+0.7%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Duke Women's Basketball (@dukewbb)?

Duke Women's Basketball (@dukewbb) gained about 1.2K followers last month (+0.8%).

Is Mady Harvey (@mady18h) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Mady Harvey (@mady18h) has a Profile Score of 8.0, average engagement of 14.59%, and +12.8% (+10.3K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Athletics & Sports in United States of America?

The average engagement rate for this category is 5.41%. Generally, rates above 6.5% are considered excellent, while rates above 4.3% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Durham?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.