Laura Yarrow and Jarrett Slaven Recipients of Major SSC Hardware

ORLANDO, Fla. - Seven student-athletes have been recognized as members of the 2012 All-Sunshine State Conference Women's Cross Country Team. The University of Tampa's Laura Yarrow was named Freshman of the Year, while her coach, Jarrett Slaven, was tabbed Coach of the Year.

Rollins' Lauryn Falcone was selected Runner of the Year. Earning a spot on the all-conference team with Falcone and Yarrow were: Kelly Hagan (Tampa), Kaia Hampton (Tampa), Danielle Kissel (Tampa), Alexandria Palm (Nova Southeastern), and Gabrielle Wuyke (Lynn).

A product of Colorado Springs, Colo., Yarrow posted a total of four top-10 finishes in her collegiate debut. She was the runner-up at the SSC Cross Country Championship with a time of 22:11.00. She finished fourth at the Saint Leo Invitational and was sixth at both the UT Early Bird Classic and USF Invitational. Yarrow was named SSC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week presented by VALIC on Sept. 10 and Oct. 8.

Slaven claims his sixth straight SSC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year honor after leading his Tampa squad to its sixth consecutive conference title. In his 14 seasons at the helm, the Spartans have won the league title 10 times. In 2012, UT finished in the top two in six of its seven races and posted a top-five finish in all seven. In addition to winning the SSC Championship, the Spartans took the team victory at the UT Early Bird Classic, USF Invitational, and the Jim Ryun Invitational. Slaven has now earned Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year distinction 11 times.

A senior from Somers, Conn., Falcone placed in the top 10 in all six of her races this fall and was a top-five finisher in five meets. She was the top finisher at FSC's Jim Ryun Invitational. She was runner-up at the Embry-Riddle and flrunners.com Invitational. Falcone finished third at the SSC Championship, posting a 6K time of 22:16.30. She logged a fourth-place finish at the UT Early Bird Classic. Falcone's efforts earned her recognition as the SSC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week presented by VALIC five times this season.

Voting for the All-SSC Women's Cross Country Team was conducted among league cross country coaches and sports information directors. The men's all-SSC team was also announced on Tuesday, though no Spartans received league accolades.

2012 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Lauryn Falcone, Rollins, Senior
Kelly Hagan, Tampa, Junior
Kaia Hampton, Tampa, Senior
Danielle Kissel, Tampa, Freshman
Alexandria Palm, Nova Southeastern, Junior
Gabrielle Wuyke, Lynn, Junior
Laura Yarrow, Tampa, Freshman

Runner of the Year - Lauryn Falcone, Rollins
Freshman of the Year - Laura Yarrow, Tampa
Coach of the Year - Jarrett Slaven, Tampa