Earlier this week the Mid-South Conference (MSC) released their annual awards to honor well deserving cross country athletes who earned MSC honors when participating in this year's cross country season. The honors included an All-Conference team, Freshman Runner of the Year, and Academic All Mid-South Conference.  

There were several University of the Cumberlands (UC) runners who were recognized for these honors.  Both the men and women's cross country teams finished second and narrowly missed the MSC Championship title.

Several competitors were named to the All-Conference team including Darcy Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH), Danielle Hoop (Owenton, KY), Lauren Kachel (Pickerington, OH), Landon Hamilton (Andover, OH), Cory Kleinjan (Taylorsville, KY), Daniel Thurston (Frankfort, KY), Andreas Lopez (Calistoga, CA), and Donald Whyte (Miamisburg, OH).

Freshman Danielle Hoop also was selected as the MSC Freshman Runner of the Year. This is a great honor and only one freshman is selected out of the entire Mid-South Conference.

There were also several Patriots who earned Academic All Mid-South Conference honors.  Athletes who are sophomore or higher in standing and hold a 3.25 GPA or up received the All-Conference Academic honor.  Patriots earning this award were Deana Gabbard (Mt. Vernon, KY), Lauren Kachel, Darcy Mascotti, Meghan Swope (Hamilton, OH), and Patrick Parten (Powell, TN).

Both the men and women's qualifiers will take a week off before traveling to Vancouver, Washington on November 19, 2011 to compete in the NAIA National Cross Country Meet.

For more information on the cross country team as well as Patriot athletics visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. 

Article Provided by Sagan King, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia and Athletic Services Graduate Assistant