Nicholls State University freshman cross country runner Dakota Goodman picked up the first Southland Conference Athlete of the Week Award of her career the league office announced on Tuesday.
The award comes on the heels of the LaCrosse, Wisc. native's first career victory as the freshman set a personal record time of 18:37.54 at the Southern Miss open in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Goodman led the Colonels to their first win of the season as four Nicholls runners posted personal records to take the top four spots.
Goodman has helped the Colonels to their highest ever regional ranking as Nicholls enters the week ranked 11th in the South Central region, according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In the first four collegiate races, Goodman has yet to finish outside the top ten.
"It's a great honor for Dakota and for the team as well," head cross country coach Matthew Esche said. "She has put in the hard work over the summer and been consistent in her training, and she's proof of what consistent hard work can do for us."
Goodman and the Colonels will return to action on Oct. 31 when they head to Corpus Christi, Texas for the 2009 Southland Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by Texas A&M-CC.