Mars Hill's Jones, Wingate's Johnson Named South Atlantic Conference Track & Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Mars Hill's Nathan Jones was voted the South Atlantic Conference Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Akyssa Johnson of Wingate earned the women's 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.

Jones, a junior from Lenoir City, Tenn., carries a 3.76 overall GPA, while posting a 4.0 as a mathematics major.  He has earned Dean's List and SAC Commissioner's honor in each of his of three years at Mars Hill.  He is a three-time Academic All-American and was tabbed the South Atlantic Conference Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year this past season.

"Nathan is a true student-athlete who excels in every facet of college life," said head track and field coach Mike Owens. "He has already been chosen to be the captain of the 2016 Cross Country Team."

Jones placed second in the 10K at the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship with a time of 31:34.  He also placed fifth at the Championship with a time of 15:34 in the 5K event.  Jones claimed a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in his season-opening event as he clocked in at 9:55.72.

Jones has also given his time for numerous causes on the Mars Hill campus. During his freshman year, Jones was a volunteer for the Bailey Mountain Conservation Society and was a member of the Campus Beautification Project, both of which strive to achieve goals of sustainability. A member of the Campus Activities Board, Jones donated five hours per week on the year in addition to his work as a math tutor in both the math labs and math center, where six hours a week were given to both. For the last two years he has been a member for the Ethics Bowl Debate Team and has participated in the ongoing effort with the Animal Rescue Operation.

Johnson, a junior elementary education major, carries a perfect 4.0 GPA. She has made the President's list for both all three years at Wingate and joined the Wingate University Honors Program during her first semester of her sophomore year. Johnson was also inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Chi National Honor Societies during her Wingate years as well.  She was also named the South Atlantic Conference Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year this past season.

"I am thrilled that Alyssa has received recognition for her dedication to academics," said head cross country coach Ashley Vaughn Glover.  "Her schedule is very rigorous and she competes year round.  She excels in both the classroom and on the track because she truly loves what she is doing."

Johnson won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Wingate Invitational with at time of 11:25 and shaved nearly 20 seconds off her time to win the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Title in the event as she clocked in at 11:06.  Johnson also placed third at the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Track & Championship in the 5K with a time of 18:05.

Johnson has also made a big impact in her community through her extensive involvement. Since her freshman year Johnson has been a member of UCAN, a student-led organization that serves the needs of the community through student involvement that addresses societal problems where Wingate students can step in and take action. She has participated in multiple commitments over her collegiate career. Johnson is currently a member of the Student North Carolina Association of Educators (serving as secretary this year) and has volunteered and worked with Top Soccer, an outreach program designed to bring the opportunity of playing soccer to boys and girls with mental or physical disabilities.

At Wingate, Johnson served as Presidential Ambassador and participated in the United Way Day of Caring that saw service efforts being made across Union County to help hundreds of families and organizations. This spring, Johnson played a role in Wingate's "One Day, One Dog" Day of Service. The volunteer initiative was a part of the University's installation of Dr. Rhett Brown as the school's 10th president.

Other Men's Track & Field Nominees

Tanner Step, Carson-Newman

Nathanael Patterson, Wingate

Other Women's Track & Field Nominees

Hannah Cook, Brevard

Tori Gaul, Carson-Newman

Haylea Salamon, Lenoir-Rhyne