Carson-Newman's Agee and Tusculum's McMillen Named 2020 South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year for Men's and Women's Track & Field

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Caleb Agee was voted the 2020 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. Both Agee and McMillen are repeat Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winners, having won the award in 2018-19 as well.

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 senior from Floyd, Va., holds a 3.94 GPA as a biology major. The 2020 SAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Elite 20 award winner, Agee has been on the Carson-Newman Dean's List for four years, is a four-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection and was a Gold Scholar Eagle each of the last four years.

"Caleb is a true representation of what it means to be a Carson-Newman student-athlete.  said Carson-Newman head coach David Needs. "He is a dedicated to his faith, his education, his sport, and his teammates.  He is a leader who sets the example of a champion through hard work and consistency.  We are so proud of Caleb."

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 three-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 graduate student from Pickering, Ontario, Canada, has earned a 3.922 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 was also selected as the 2020 SAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Elite 20 award winner and was a 2019-20 CoSIDA Academic All-American and All-District selection.

"We are extremely proud of Nicole," said Tusculum head coach Cory Pratt. "Earning this award three times across two sports is indicative of the high standard she set not only as an athlete, but as a student first."

The 2019-20 SAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year and USTFCCCA Southeast Region Women's Indoor Runner of the Year, McMillen was the top regional performer in four running events for the Pioneers during the 2019-20 indoor season. She set school and conference records in the mile, 3,000 meters, and 5,000 meters and was part of a school-record performance in the 4x400-meter relay. McMillen won gold at the South Atlantic Conference Championships in the 3,000, 5,000 and 4x400-relay to help Tusculum to a third-place finish in the team standings. She also won the 2019 SAC Women's Cross Country Championship and was named the SAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year.

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 three seasons, while also volunteering as a youth soccer camp counselor.

SAC Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Finalists
Josh Adkins, Lenoir-Rhyne
Mahari Greene, Coker
Micah Kipchumba, Wingate
Roberto Fajardo, Lincoln Memorial
Tom Joyce, Catawba
Will Conlin, Tusculum

SAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Finalists
Hannah Mercer, Catawba
Kylie Dahlberg, Lenoir-Rhyne
Lauryn Tumey, Wingate
Natane Deruytter, Queens
Rachel Strayer, Carson-Newman
Tiffany Taylor, Coker

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