In addition to athletic achievements this year at the NAIA National Championships, Westmont men’s and women’s cross country athletes were honored for both their character and their academic accomplishments.

Ten cross country runners were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes, which tied with St. Ambrose (Iowa) for the most from any institution. In order to received the honor, athletes must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and be a junior or above in academic standing.

Seniors Robert Cherry of Laguna Niguel and Michael Searway of Riverbank, along with juniors Kirby Ifland of Versailles, Kentucky, and Daniel Lew of El Sobrante received the Scholar-Athlete award for men’s cross country.

From the women’s team, the Scholar-Athlete Award was given to seniors Lindsey Connolly of Carpinteria, Lindsey Cooper of Mount Hermon, Lisa Griego of Mountain View, Laura Shaver of Upland and Breanne Wiggins of Temecula. Kaitlyn Dunn of Tashkent, Uzbekistan received the award as a junior.

As part of the NAIA Champions of Character program, Westmont men’s cross country was selected as the 2007 NAIA-Buffalo Funds Five Star Award Winner. The award is given to one team from each of the 23 NAIA championship sports and is selected by each sport’s coaches association officers.

According to the NAIA web site, “Award winners are selected based on their documented display of exemplary character and sportsmanship in the field, on campus, and in the community. Specifically, fulfillment of the Core Character Values of respect, responsibility integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship will be taken into consideration.”

In nominating the team for the award, head coach Russell Smelley said, “I believe that athletics is an experience in exposing and developing character. It reveals our strengths and weaknesses and from that we can be challenged to grow and develop more fully into the people that God intends us to be. Athletics can be a part of the process of growth for student-athletes to develop a greater level of resilience in their lives, including the ability to persevere when life is challenging and hard. They can learn more clearly the quality of their character and thus grow in maturity and wisdom.”

The men’s squad was noted for it’s commitment to help every member of the team meet his goals and its decision to not tolerate complaining. In regards to sportsmanship, the team was noted for its respect for opponents. Even when a victim of shoving or shirt pulling in a race, the team has decided not to retaliate or to instigate such behavior. It was also recognized for its willingness to offer encouragement and congratulations to opponents at the finish line.