UK's Macumber Wins 2012 SEC XC Runner of the Year

 

Macumber Wins 2012 SEC XC Runner of the Year
First Women’s Runner in School History to Earn Award


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Cally Macumber was named Southeastern Conference Cross Country Runner of the Year on Friday. The awards were determined by a vote of the league’s cross country coaches.

Macumber, a junior in cross country, is the first UK woman to earn the honor. The award comes in the midst of one of the best individual seasons in program history.

“This is a great accomplishment for Cally, our team and UK Athletics,” Kentucky cross country head coach Edrick Floreal said. “This is also a testament to Cally’s work ethic. She is a tone setter for what our team strides to accomplish in the coming years.”

The Rochester Hills, Mich., native won the SEC Championship Race on Oct. 26 and owns the SEC-best times at both 5,000 meters and 6K. She was also named a First Team All-SEC runner.

Macumber was the first Wildcat to win the women’s SEC Title since Valerie McGovern won the conference meet in 1989. Macumber was named SEC Athlete of the Week two times throughout the season, to go along with a pair of individual race wins.

Macumber finished inside the top 10 at every meet the Wildcats have competed in this season, and she placed in the top two at four-of-five races.

“Being named SEC Runner of the Year is a tremendous honor,” cross country women’s coach Hakon DeVries said. “I’m really proud of everything Cally has accomplished this season.  She’s a great competitor, leader and most importantly a great teammate.  I’m glad to see her hard work get recognition from our conference.”