WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsFour Patriot runners named to PBC All-Academic Team

Four Patriot runners named to PBC All-Academic Team

From Francis Marion University:

FLORENCE, SC – Four members of the Francis Marion University men's cross country team – senior Hillary Kiprop, juniors Ben Miller and Jerry Roth, and sophomore Justin Trigg – have been named to the Peach Belt Conference's 2009 All-Academic Team for men's cross country.

This is the second year for the PBC's All-Academic Teams. To be eligible for the All-Academic program, a student-athlete must participate in at least half of the team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; have achieved a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and have completed at least one full academic year at their current institution.

Kiprop, a native of Eldoret, Kenya, owns a 3.23 grade point average while majoring in nursing.  He was the top FMU finisher in all seven meets this past fall, including four Top-10 finishes.  He placed 15th at the PBC Championship Meet and 73rd at the NCAA Southeast Regional Meet.

Miller, a native Chesnee, S.C., has a 3.38 GPA , also as a nursing major.  He ran in all seven meets this past fall and finished 46th at the PBC Meet and 132nd at the NCAA regional meet.  He was also named to the 2008 All-Academic Team.

Roth, a native of Avon Lake, Ohio, is a management major with a 3.23 GPA.  He participated in six meets this past season and placed 34th at the PBC Championships.

Trigg, a native of Tega Cay, S.C., has a 3.53 GPA as a visual arts major.  He ran in six meets this fall and finished 48th at the PBC Meet and 151st at the NCAA regional.

The Francis Marion men recorded four Top-5 team finishes this past year and placed seventh at the PBC Championships.  FMU occupied four of the 13 spots on the 2009 All-Academic Team.

Kiprop is a product of St. Francis High School, while Miller was an All-State runner at Chesnee High School, Roth was a conference track champion at Avon Lake High School, and Trigg attended Fort Mill High School.

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