BABSON PARK, Fla. – The Webber International University's Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams held their end of year banquet in the Yentes Conference Center at 6:00 p.m. on November 29, 2011. The banquet recognized the hard work and dedication of all the athletes that participated in cross country for WIU.

Everyone that attended enjoyed a fine dinner courtesy of the Webber cafeteria staff.

Award Winners at the banquet for the men were:

Strength & Conditioning – Gabriel Barron was the most consistent with effort and intensity

Coaches Award – Justin Perkins worked his best at his role everyday never missing practice and has not done so in 3 years and is named captain for the 2012 season.

Most Improved – Dante Westwood over the course of 12 weeks he not only got stronger but also faster; improving every week and running a 90second personal record at the conference meet.

MVP – Brandon Scott came into the season a little undertrained and battled every week with his teammate both at practice and in the races for the #1 position. At conference he ran a gutsy race and qualified for his first national championship where he destroyed his personal record by over one minuet.
 
As a team the men missed back to back podium finished by 20 points. They also added one name to the top 10 list GB at #9 and Bob jumped to #3 from #6 after his national performance. The teams 1-5 splits were closer than 2010.
 
Award winners at the banquet for the women were:

Strength & Conditioning – Stephanie Lucas was the most consistent with effort and intensity

Coaches Award – Kaitlyn Bean stepped up to the challenge despite running injured for the better part of the season.

Most Improved – Katheana Jean-Baptiste went from running just one race last year to running all six races this year and moved up from fourth to second and finished first at the conference meet securing the women's team on the podium after a three year absence. Kat is also #8 on the all-time list and dropped over one minuet from the initial mile to the post season mile.

MVP – Lauren Nygren stepped into the #1 position as a freshman and held it for the bulk of the season which is a daunting task.
 
As a team the women returned to the podium finishing 3^rd which is something that has not happened since 2007. They added two names to the top ten: Kat at #8 and Lauren at #4. The women's team had the smallest 1-5 split of the past 5 years of :61 at the conference meet.