The WKU men’s track and field/cross country team has been a dominant force in the Sun Belt Conference since head coach Erik Jenkins to the program reigns in January 2008.
The Hilltoppers have won 11 conference championships in that time but Jenkins is more proud of the following statistic: Three of the last four WKU Male Scholar Athletes of the Year have come from the track and field/cross country program.
In fact, in the 11 years the award has been given, five of the male recipients have come from the track and field/cross country team.
Senior Brett Austin earned the 2012-13 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year honor at Monday’s “TOPSY” Awards Banquet after holding a perfect 4.0 GPA as a double major in biology and chemistry. Austin raced in 12 cross country meets during his WKU career, posting a career-best 8,000-meter time of 27:22 at the 2011 Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind.
2012 graduate Jeremy Sites was named Male Scholar Athlete of the year last year after finishing his chemistry major and biology minor with a 4.0 GPA. Sites was a contributor for the Hilltoppers, placing in the 2010 Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Championships while also being a member of the 2011 SBC indoor and outdoor championship squads. Sites’ best finish came at the 2011 Austin Peay Invitational, where he placed fourth in the 5,000-meter run at 17:10.98.
WKU graduate Patrick Jenkins garnered Male Scholar Athlete of the Year honors during the 2009-2010 academic year, posting a 4.0 GPA with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Jenkins was a significant part of four WKU championships from 2008-2009, aiding the Hilltoppers to a pair of outdoor titles, an indoor title and a cross country championship.
While the trio spent time together as teammates on the Hill, they will now spend time as roommates and classmates at the University of Kentucky. Austin, Sites and Jenkins take their academic prowess to Lexington, Ky., where they will all be attending medical school.
"The fact that these gentleman were able to compete in Division 1 Track&Field/XC and continue their education in a demanding academic program is a testament to their will and character,” said head coach Erik Jenkins. “They have been able to contribute points to several team championships and prepare themselves academically for medical school. They will all manage the rigors of medical school efficiently. We are proud of them and wish them the best."
