Date Posted: 9/5/2007

MACON, Ga. – Gardner Webb’s Lucas McAneney broke through a pack of Clemson Tigers to finish third at the Western Carolina Invitational. With Clemson runners finishing 1-2-4-5, McAneney broke up the Clemson stranglehold in a time of 20:41.4. In doing so, the senior broke the school record for the 4-mile distance. His performance earned him the first Atlantic Sun Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week award.

The honor was McAneney’s third Runner of the Week award of his career. The two-time all-Atlantic Sun performer last won the award in September 2005 after his eighth place finish at the Winthrop Invitational.

Gardner-Webb runs next at the UNC Asheville Big South Preview on September 14 in Hendersonville, N.C.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Athlete of the Week every Wednesday during the 2007 cross country season.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Ryan Chastain, LIP (So. - Mitchell, Ind. - Mechanical Engineering) -- Ryan finished ninth out of 112 on Saturday in the Belmont Opener to help lead the Bisons to a fourth place finish.

Sammy Palmer, UNF (So. - Oviedo, Fla. - Nursing) -- Finished in first (16:40) out of 35 competitors, including runners from conference rivals Jacksonville University and Stetson.

Related Links:
 • Atlantic Sun Men's Cross Country