Jones Named SAC Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Mars Hill's Nathan Jones was voted the South Atlantic Conference men's cross country Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Alyssa Johnson of Wingate picked up the women's cross country honor, the League announced today.  The pair earned the honor for their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.

Jones, a junior mathematics major, boasts a cumulative 3.74 GPA, with a perfect 4.0 in his major courses.  Jones has earned Academic All-American honors and has been named to the Dean's list twice as well as earning two appearances on the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

"Nathan is one of the best able to list his out-of-class activities while a student at Mars Hill," says Mathematics Department Chairman Donald Russell, "His academic and athletic achievements are at the Scholar-Athlete level."

Jones has been a formidable runner for the Lions since his freshman year, making the NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region team twice in his career. At the close of the 2015 season, Jones was named to the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association All-Region team after his 11^th place finish at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional meet, where he clocked a time of 33:50 in the 10k race. In addition to being the South Atlantic Conference Freshman Runner of the Year, Jones has also earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, is a member of the back-to-back Conference Champion teams, the 2014 Regional Champion team and has qualified to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships for two consecutive seasons. Jones is the current runner-up for the program's 10k record after crossing the line at 30:57.20 at the 2015 National meet.

On top of his efforts and contributions on the running course, Jones has also given his time for numerous causes on the Mars Hill campus. During his freshman year, Jones was a volunteer for the Bailey Mountain Conservation Society and was a member of the Campus Beautification Project, both of which strive to achieve goals of sustainability. A member of the Campus Activities Board, Jones donated five hours per week on the year in addition to his work as a math tutor in both the math labs and math center, where six hours a week were given to both. For the last two years he has been a member for the Ethics Bowl Debate Team and has participated in the ongoing effort with the Animal Rescue Operation.

Johnson, a junior elementary education major, carries a perfect 4.0 GPA. She has made the President's list for both semesters in her freshman and sophomore years, and joined the Wingate University Honors Program during her first semester of her sophomore year. Johnson was also inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society during her sophomore year as well.

"I know her as an excellent student in my education classes and as an all-around decent human being," says Dr. Beth Murray, Assistant Professor of Education at Wingate, "She is always actively involved in the learning process wanting to know "best practices" in education since her goal is to be an effective, enthusiastic educator of elementary age children."

A three-time First Team All-South Atlantic Conference selection and All-Conference Freshman team honoree, Johnson has been a member of the three-consecutive Conference Championship teams, the 2013 Southeast Regional Champion team, and has qualified for the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship in each of the past three seasons. During the 2014 season, Johnson was named to the Capital One Academic All-District team and was a First Team All-Southeast Region honoree. In 2015, Johnson was an Academic All-American third team recipient as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Johnson has also made a big impact in her community through her extensive involvement. Since her freshman year Johnson has been a member of UCAN, a student-led organization that serves the needs of the community through student involvement that addresses societal problems where Wingate students can step in and take action. She has participated in multiple commitments over her collegiate career. Johnson is currently a member of The Student North Carolina Educators and has volunteered and worked with Top Soccer, an outreach program designed to bring the opportunity of playing soccer to boys and girls with mental or physical disabilities.

At Wingate, Johnson served as Presidential Ambassador and participated in the United Way Day of Caring that saw service efforts being made across Union County to help hundreds of families and organizations.