Carson-Newman's Agee, Tusculum's McMillen Named South Atlantic Conference Men's and Women's Track and Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Caleb Agee was voted the South Atlantic Conference Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Nicole McMillen from Tusculum earned the women's honor, the Conference office announced today.

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. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.

Agee, a junior from Floyd, Va., holds a 3.93 GPA as a biology major. He has been on the Carson-Newman Dean's List for three years, is a three-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection and was a Gold Scholar Eagle for two the last two years.

"If you know Caleb, you know he works hard," said Carson-Newman head coach David Needs. "That's not just on the track, but also in the classroom. It's no surprise to see him win this because he's one of the most dedicated people you will ever meet. To have someone win three straight 400 hurdles at the SAC Championship Meet is special, but then to see him excel in the classroom takes it to another level."

Agee is the three-time winner in the 400-meter hurdles at the SAC Outdoor Championship and holds the record time of 53.78 seconds. He is also a two-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region in the 400-meter hurdles.

Off the track, Agee participated in Operation Inasmuch, "a national nonprofit that employs proven models to motivate, train, and equip churches to move more congregants out of the sanctuary seats and into the streets to serve the neediest in their communities."

McMillen, a senior from Pickering, Ontario, Canada, has earned a 3.921 GPA in business administration. The distance runner has been a member of the Dean's List every year, as well as the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List, South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, the President's List, and the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll. McMillen has also been inducted into the Alpha Chi Honors Society.

"Nicole is a special young lady who continuously works hard to compete at a high level in the South Atlantic Conference, while being an outstanding academic scholar at Tusculum University," said Pioneer head coach Lionel Nau. "She is an exemplary student-athlete who represents our team with great leadership! She sums up how one can deliver success in both academics and athletics by continuously challenging herself."

The multi-sport athlete has competed in track & field for two seasons, while also being a member of the Tusculum women's soccer and women's cross country teams. McMillen was named the 2019 SAC Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Meet after earning gold in three events: 3,000 meter steeplechase, 1,500 meter, and 5,000 meter runs. Her first place mark in the steeplechase was the first time a Tusculum student-athlete garnered a gold medal finish at the SAC Outdoor Championship. She was also the top finisher in the mile at the SAC Indoor Championship. She earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors the steeplechase, 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter runs, and she will compete in the 2019 NCAA Division II Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in the steeplechase on May 23-25 in Kingsville, Texas.

Every year, McMillen has been involved in the Tusculum University Nettie Day of Service and the Make-A-Wish 5K Run/Walk. She has also served on the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as the team representative for the past two seasons. The last three years, McMillen has been a youth soccer camp counselor.

SAC Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Finalists
Josh Adkins, Lenoir-Rhyne
Jonathan Hughes, Lincoln Memorial
Tucker Mullis, Wingate
Daniel Wallis, Queens

SAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Finalists
Jocelyn Lowe, Lenoir-Rhyne
Ruva Mzinde, Wingate
Lucie Noall, Queens
Kaitlyn Zander, Lincoln Memorial

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