BU Cross Country Earns SSAC Honors

GULFPORT, Ms - The Southern States Athletic Conference named the recipients for the 2011 cross country conference awards. The Golden Tigers were well represented this year, and it was evident that their hard work paid off. Brenau's cross country team was given the following awards.

2011 SSAC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

This award is presented to all student-athletes who excel in the classroom. Nominees must have completed two terms of attendance and earned at least 24 semester hours of college level work, have attained a grade point average of 3.25 or higher based on all courses attempted at the current institution and from all previously attended institutions, and be participating in their sport during the semester in which the nomination is made.

Nelli Martirosyan, a senior from Yerevan, Armenia.

Ashley Tolland, a senior from Cumming, Georgia.

Head Coach Susan McIntyre said, "Both Nelli and Ashley are hard workers not only in practice and at meets, but also in the classroom. These upperclassmen have set a great example for their younger teammates on what a student-athlete truly is."

MUSCO LIGHTING CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM

This award is given to one student-athlete per team for each sponsored sport with the recipients selected by the coaches of the teams following each season of competition. Student-athletes are selected by the criteria outlined in the NAIA Champions of Character Program which is based on the characteristics of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.

Ashley Tolland, a senior from Cumming, Georgia.

"Ashley Tolland earned the Champion of Character Award this year because of her dedication to her team, academics, and community service. She is definitely the definition of a Champion," stated Coach McIntyre.

2011 SSAC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Brittany Aikens, a freshman from Braselton, Georgia.

At the conference meet, Aikens finished 7th out of 83 runners, with a time of 19:22.73.

Coach McIntyre went on to say, "Brittany Aikens is an amazing athlete, and she earned the title of 2nd fastest freshman in the SSAC, this season. Brittany missed being the #1 freshman by just six tenths of a second. When the starting gun goes off, Brittany turns in to a very competitive tigernothing can stop her from giving everything in a race."

2011 SSAC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Brittany Aikens was named to this team, after placing in the top 10.

Throughout the season, she has broken several Brenau records; her biggest accomplishment to date is qualifying for the 2011 NAIA Cross Country National Championships. Aikens will be the first runner to represent Brenau University at the National Championships.

Coach McIntyre concluded in stating, "As a team, we had a very good season. This is the first year we have been in a large conference and we finished 7th out of 12 teams. 2011 has been a great building year for our team and we will work hard to bring in several more serious runners for 2012."