FLORENCE, Ala. (September 18, 2024) – University of North Alabama cross country freshman Brian Bett kept his broomstick from this previous week, as he swept the Atlantic Sun Conference men's weekly awards winning both ASUN Runner of the Week and ASUN Freshman of the Week in back-to-back weeks, announced on Wednesday.
 
This award comes two weeks after Bett won the UNA Invitational with a time of 24:08.14, breaking a school record and leading the Lions to a second place finish. Last Wednesday, Sept. 11, he won both Runner and Freshman of the week for the ASUN Conference. 
 
This Wednesday, the ASUN conference announced the Bett won back-to-back after placing eighth in the Southern Showcase with his time of 24:02.36 that shattered his previous record by six seconds. This comes after Bett took down the longstanding record from former Lion Evan Allen who held the school record with a 24:08.60 time. 
 
No Lion has ever recorded back-to-back ASUN weekly award wins in either category for Runner or Freshman of the Week. To take it a step further, no Lion has recorded back-to-back weekly awards since the start of the program in 1973. Lion legend Hirbo Hirbo won Gulf South Conference Runner of the Week winner twice in 2010, but it came two weeks apart.
 
"Two weeks in a row sweeping ASUN awards says a lot about Brian and his potential," said head coach Connor Callahan. "We are excited to see the success he is having right now. Brian's performances are pushing the team and a reason I believe we are receiving a regional ranking. As Brian goes, the team goes."
 
Bett found the top 10 in a field of 457 finishing times for the Southern Showcase on Friday with only one other Lion finding the top 100.
 
Next up, the Lions travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for the FSU Pre-Regional Meet at Apalachee Regional Park on Friday, Sept. 27 hosted by Florida State. 
 
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