Mars Hill's Mullen, Wingate's Brunworth Named South Atlantic Conference Soccer Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Mars Hill's Alex Mullen was voted the South Atlantic Conference men's soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Kaitlyn Brunworth from Wingate the women's soccer 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.

Mullen, a senior athletic training major, carries a 3.68 GPA and has been named to the Dean's List in each of his four years at Mars Hill.  He has also been named to the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll three-straight years.  Mullen has also gained professional experience as he has interned with various MHU athletic teams during his career at Mars Hill.

On the pitch, Mullen earned honorable mention All-America honors during his sophomore season as he finished the year with 10 goals and seven assists.  He also earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors twice in his career.  Mullen closed out his playing career with 26 goals and 14 assists for the blue and gold.

In the community, Mullen has served as a volunteer and donor for American Red Cross Blood Drives and was a United Way "Day of Caring" participant.  He has served as a mentor at local churches and has volunteered at local animal rescue shelters.  Mullen is a student ambassador at Mars Hill and is the Lion's men's soccer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative.

Brunworth has a 4.0 GPA and is a biology major.  The sophomore was named to the President's List during her freshman year and was tabbed a Capital One Academic All-District First Team honoree this past season.  She has also been a member of the Wingate Honors Program in each of her two years at Wingate.

After earning honorable mention All-Conference honors during her freshman season, Brunworth was tabbed First Team All-South Atlantic Conference and earned All-Region honors at the conclusion of her sophomore campaign.  She has five total goals on her career, including three game-winners.

Brunworth, a spanish minor, is very active in the community and has spent time at local medical clinics translating and scheduling appointments for spanish speaking patients.  She also participated in the United Way "Day of Caring" and spent a week in Honduras helping build a school for kids in an impoverished neighborhood.  On campus, Brunworth is a biology lab assistant and serves a peer mentor for freshmen on the Wingate campus.

Other Men's Soccer Nominees
Lars Zimmerman, Anderson
Kyndle Cobb, Coker
Victor Tozelli, Wingate