GSW runners receive academic honors
AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern freshmen runners Mollie McGowan and Becky Atkins recently received Peach Belt Conference women's cross country All-Academic honors.
McGowan was named to the All-Academic team. Atkins received honorable mention.
McGowan's best finish in 2010 was 12th at the Darton Invitational. The Americus native posted a season-best 5k time of 22:27 at the Foothills Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State on October 9. A Pre-Pharmacy major, she currently has a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Atkins' best finish this fall came at the Darton Invitational, as well, where she finished 17th. The Warner Robins, Ga. native posted her season-best 5k time of 24:51 at the Foothills Invitational. A Nursing major, she currently has a 3.37 grade point average.
The All-Academic team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of PBC student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the field.
To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team’s events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee and select the teams.
McGowan, Atkins and the rest of Lady Hurricanes finish the 2010 season on Saturday at the Peach Belt Championships in Evans, Ga.
2010 Women's Cross Country All-Academic Team
| Player | School | Year | Hometown | GPA | Major
(Minor) |
| Kourtney Aylor | Clayton St. | Jr. | Burnet, Texas | 3.55 | Biology |
| Sarah Balkcom | Georgia College | Jr. | Fayetteville, Ga. | 3.37 | Health Education |
| Dani Destiche | Georgia College | Sr. | Snellville, Ga. | 3.63 | Outdoor Education |
| Victoria Dobson | Georgia College | Jr. | New Hamburg, Ont. | 3.64 | English |
| Mathilde Grenet | USC Aiken | Sr. | Doumont, France | 3.67 | Business Administration & Marketing |
| Jennifer Griner | Flagler | Jr. | New Port Richey, Fla. |
3.51 | Graphic Design (Fine Arts/Illustration) |
| Blair Long | UNC Pembroke | Soph. | St. Paul, N.C. | 3.67 | Undecided |
| Nicole Maitland | USC Aiken | Sr. | Chapin, S.C. | 3.44 | Elementary Education |
| Mollie McGowan | Georgia Southwestern | Soph. | Americus, Ga. | 4.00 | Pre-Pharmacy |
| Laura McKnight | Flagler | Jr. | Jupiter, Fla. | 3.95 | History/Pre-Law (Art History) |
| Katherine Schofield | Montevallo | Jr. | Lawrenceville, Ga. | 3.74 | Finance |
| Kaitlin Shaffer | Flagler | Soph. | Jacksonville, Fla. | 3.60 | Psychology (Environmental Science) |
| Madeleine Wagner | Flagler | Jr. | New Port Richey, Fla. | 3.95 | Art Education (Art History/Fine Arts) |
| January Waters | Montevallo | Sr. | Grayson, Ga. | 3.58 | Communication Studies |
Honorable Mention: Becky Atkins, Georgia Southwestern; Haley Evans, Montevallo; Paige Galvin, Clayton State; Becca Hoadley, Flagler; Samantha Kunsch, Flagler; Samantha Smith, Francis Marion; Caroline Young, Flagler