JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lipscomb's Joe Ponter swept this week's Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Men's Cross Country honors, while Austin Peay and Lipscomb split on the Women's side, announced Wednesday by the league office.
Ponter was named the Men's Runner of the Week and Freshman of the Week after earning the individual title at the Michael Pretorius Invitational hosted by Trevecca. The England native crossed the finish line at the 25:22 mark, and helped the Bisons claim a first-place overall finish ahead of Trevecca, conference foe Austin Peay, Alabama A&M, Tennessee State, Lane and Fisk.
Austin Peay's Sydney Freeman claimed the Women's Runner of the Week after placing first, also at the Michael Pretorius Invitational. The senior posted a personal-best of 18:21.1 in the 5K event, leading the Govs to a third-place overall finish. Lipscomb's Mallory Bigelow was named Freshman of the Week. Bigelow paced the Bisons with a runner-up finish at the 18:33.63 mark. The Bisons claimed a first-place overall finish, marking thier best this season.
Men's Runner of the Week
Joe Ponter, Lipscomb
Other Nominees: Alex Hooten, Bellarmine.
Men's Freshman of the Week
Joe Ponter, Lipscomb
Women's Runner of the Week
Sydney Freeman, Austin Peay
Other Nominees: Mallory Bigelow, Lipscomb
Women's Freshman of the Week
Mallory Bigelow, Lipscomb
2025 Season Award Winners
Men's
Sept. 3 | Runner: Siyabonga Mokgothu, FGCU;
Freshman: Alejandro Romagosa, North Florida
Sept. 8 | Runner: Brian Bett, North Alabama ;
Freshman: Jack Gruber, North Alabama
Sept. 17 | Runner: Levi Streeval, Lipscomb ;
Freshman: Joe Ponter, Lipscomb
Sept. 24 | Runner: Joe Ponter, Lipscomb ;
Freshman: Joe Ponter, Lipscomb
Women's
Sept. 3 | Runner: Ozia Trujillo, FGCU;
Freshman: Tess Shultz, FGCU
Sept. 8 | Runner: Sandra Maiyo, North Alabama;
Freshman: Audrey Becker, North Alabama
Sept. 17 | Runner: Ozia Trujillo, FGCU;
Freshman: Lauren Eilers, Lipscomb
Sept. 24 | Runner: Sydney Freeman, Austin Peay ;
Freshman: Mallory Bigelow, Lipscomb