2016-17 PBC Yearbook 1617 yearbook | Page 13

2016 Peach Belt Women’s Cross Country Elite 15 Awards presented by EAB Cheyenne Thompson, Montevallo All-Academic Team MacKenzie Arnold, Francis Marion Amber Braswell, Columbus State Hailey Budd, Clayton State Joy Diaz, Clayton State Rachel Dixon, Columbus State Heloise Duffie de Tassigny, Flagler Nicole Edlmann, Francis Marion Makayla Ellis, North Georgia Hannah Evans, Montevallo Bethany Fordham, USC Aiken Macy Hayes, Augusta Amber Laughinghouse, USC Aiken Anna Leinheiser, Montevallo Katherine McGarr, Georgia Southwestern Hannah Miller, North Georgia Sierra Millsaps, Montevallo Carolina Monterrubio, Clayton State Katie Nelson, Montevallo Diana Petrmichlova, Augusta Morgan Ryffe, Augusta Brittney Schwind, Georgia College Natalie Shoemaker, Montevallo Brenna Sifford, UNC Pembroke Emily Sims, North Georgia Malia Skidmore, Montevallo Chandler Spivey, Young Harris Lea Tardanico, UNC Pembroke Katherine Terino, Montevallo Cheyenne Thompson, Montevallo Jenna Tilton, North Georgia Kim Toscano, North Georgia Brittany Truitt, North Georgia Noelle Welch, North Georgia Emmeline Wheeler, Francis Marion Sarah Willis, Georgia College Kimberly Zahm, Clayton State 2016-17 Award, and one of 10 from Division II, as announced by the NCAA on Wednesday, September 7. Kuhnen is the first Clayton State student-athlete to advance to the Top-30 and is the only international student-athlete among those 30 nominees, as listed on official institution rosters. She has advanced out of a record 517 individuals that were nomi- nated across all three NCAA Divisions and is one of the 10 finalists from Division II. Kuhnen was also one of just 37 Division II student-athletes, and 142 overall, to advance to the pool that the Top-30 were chosen from. She is the only four-sport nominee among them. “What an incredible achievement for Maia and for Clayton State,” said Tim Duncan, Director of Athletics. “She has truly represented what it means to be a student-athlete and embraced every opportunity she has earned. We are extremely proud of her and looking forward to seeing her get the recognition she so richly deserves.” The NCAA Woman of the Year program honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, nominees must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have completed eligibility in her primary sport. Kuhnen will travel to the banquet courtesy of the NCAA and be among the Top-30 to be honored that evening. All 30 nominees will be treated to a lunch on October 15 before official activities begin later that afternoon. P B C Y E A R B O O K 11