Slaven, Hampton Honored As UT Places Four On All-SSC Team

ORLANDO, Fla. - Six student-athletes have been named to the 2009 All-Sunshine State Conference Women's Cross Country Team. University of Tampa head coach Jarrett Slaven was tabbed Coach of the Year, while Spartan newcomer Kaia Hampton was chosen Freshman of the Year.

Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league's cross country coaches and sports information directors.

Florida Tech's Sara Trane was selected Runner of the Year. Trane was joined on the All-SSC team by four Tampa runners: Jess Butler, Dara Fox, Sarah Nelson and Heather Nicolosi. Florida Southern's Carolyne Kwambai rounded out the squad.

Currently in his 11th season at Tampa, Slaven earns his eighth SSC Coach of the Year award after guiding the Spartans to their third straight SSC championship and their seventh in eight years. His squad has been a formidable force this fall, finishing no lower than third in any race in which it has competed. In addition to the first-place finish at the SSC Championship, Tampa notched top finishes at the UT Early Bird Classic, the Florida Tech Invitational, and the Pre-National Race. Additionally, the Spartans placed second at the University of Florida Invitational and took home third-place honors at the Florida State Invitational.

In her debut season at UT, Hampton (Tallahassee, Fla.) has accumulated three top 10 finishes. She placed ninth at the SSC Championship with a time of 22:49.64. She also finished ninth at the Florida Tech Invitational and crossed the line tenth in her first-ever collegiate meet, the UT Early Bird Classic.

2009 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Jess Butler, Tampa, Sophomore
Dara Fox, Tampa, Senior
Carolyne Kwambai, Florida Southern, Senior
Sarah Nelson, Tampa, Senior
Heather Nicolosi, Tampa, Junior
Sara Trane, Florida Tech, Grad

Runner of the Year - Sara Trane, Florida Tech
Coach of the Year - Jarrett Slaven, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Kaia Hampton, Tampa

2009 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Myles Garza, Florida Tech, Junior
Eric Larson, Florida Southern, Sophomore
Ben Martucci, Florida Southern, Junior
Drew Martucci, Florida Southern, Junior
Matt Meagher, Nova Southeastern, Senior
Vincent Poczekajlo, Florida Tech, Grad

Runner of the Year - Ben Martucci, Florida Southern
Coach of the Year - Jamie Moreno, Florida Southern
Freshman of the Year - Ross Russell, Florida Tech