Peach Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week Release

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Following a year in which she redshirted in the sport, graduate student Maia Kuhnen (Trier, Germany) has been named Peach Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week as announced by the league on Wednesday, September 9.

In the first race of the year, she placed an impressive 13-of-159 overall at the JSU/Struts Opener (9/4). With the meet being a mix of programs from all three NCAA Divisions, her time of 14:54.77 far outstripped her Divisional competition, earning the highest finish among non-Division I competitors by nearly 22 seconds.

She trailed only individuals from Georgia Tech, Georgia, Georgia State and Alabama State while finishing ahead of all runners from Division I programs, Mercer, Troy and Jacksonville State. Additionally, the gap between her and her closest PBC competition was almost 24 seconds and 19 places.

Already no stranger to putting her name in the record books in several sports, Kuhnen becomes the 11th overall selection in program history. On top of that accomplishment, she is just the fourth individual to be so recognized and the first since Samantha Walling in 2010 and 2011.

Kuhnen also joins Chelsea Ellis (2009) and Clayton State Hall of Famer Allison Kreutzer (2005, 2006, 2008) as the only other honorees since the PBC began sponsoring the sport in 2005. Ellis earned one award while Kreutzer claimed seven over the course of three seasons.

"Maia got off to a nice start to her final season of cross country in Alabama this past Friday," said head coach Mike Mead. "She picked up where she left off in 2013 after being sidelined last cross country season due to an ankle injury. She is the heart and soul of our team and this is a nice honor."

The Lakers and Kuhnen return to action on Friday, September 11 when they travel to the UWG Invitational in Carrollton, Ga. Start time is slated for 5:30 p.m.

All-Time Peach Belt Conference Women's Runner of the Week Selections (11/4 Individuals)
2015
9/9 - Maia Kuhnen

2011
10/10 - Samantha Walling

2010
9/27 - Samantha Walling

2009
10/12 - Chelsea Ellis

2008
9/2 -Allison Kreutzer
9/8 -Allison Kreutzer
9/29 -Allison Kreutzer
10/13 -Allison Kreutzer

2006
9/11 -Allison Kreutzer
10/2 -Allison Kreutzer

2005
9/19 -Allison Kreutzer