Mark Tucker Named Horizon League Cross Country Athlete of the Year

Dec. 20, 2002

Senior Mark Tucker has been selected as the inaugural Horizon League Men's Cross Country "Athlete of the Year," selected by a vote of league coaches. Kim Hemstreet of Detroit was picked as the league's Women's Cross Country "Athlete of the Year."

The new Horizon League award, which was instituted this year, added to Tucker's already impressive resume. The Butler distance ace became the first runner in league history to sweep both "Runner of the Year" and "Newcomer of the Year" honors, after finishing first in the individual competition at the Horizon League Men's Cross Country Championship. He outpaced the field at the league championship by 30 seconds.

Tucker also placed third at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and then earned All-America honors with a fourth place finish at the NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship. It was his first time running in the national meet, and he posted the second-highest finish in school history!

Voting for the Horizon League Cross Country "Athlete of the Year" award was done by ballot at the end of the cross country season. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own runners.