Ketchem Garners Second Straight SSAC Honor

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — For the second-straight week, Utami Ketchem of Brenau University has been selected as the SSAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. The junior from Flowery Branch, Ga., was chosen for her performance during the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 5. As the conference selection, Ketchem will be automatically nominated for the NAIA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week award.

On Oct. 4, Ketchem set a personal 5-kilometer record, breaking the 19-minute barrier for the first time in her career. She covered the course in 18:53 to place second in the 97-runner field at the Point (Ga.) Invitational in West Point, Ga. The lone runner to outpace Ketchem was Rebecca Guadiana of Point, who crossed the finish line in 18:42 at her home course.

As a team, Brenau ran a combined 5-kilometer time of 1:39:33 to place second in the 12-team field.

Host school Point claimed the race title, with each member of its scoring five placing among the top 15.

The Golden Tigers bested NCAA Division II programs Young Harris (Ga.), West Georgia, Georgia Southwestern, Clark Atlanta (Ga.) and Tuskegee (Ala.), along with NAIA teams Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), SCAD Atlanta (Ga.) and Reinhardt (Ga.), among others in the 12-team field.

This is the second-straight and third overall SSAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week award of 2014 for Ketchem, who was also recognized on Sept. 9 and Sept. 30.