BABSON PARK, Fla. (July 17, 2019) – Webber International University is proud to announce that Jordon Murrell of the Warriors' men's track & field team has been selected by The Sun Conference as the league's male nominee for the A.O. Duer Scholarship Award, which recognizes academic and athletic excellence by a junior student-athlete. Murrell is the conference selection and now is nominated for the award at the NAIA national level.

Murrell is a member of the Webber track & field team and carries a 3.9 grade point average as a Sport Business Management major, and is in the honors program. Additionally, Murrell works as a youth camp counselor, is a resident assistant at Webber, and has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and with various hurricane recovery projects.
  "From day one of his arrival on campus, Jordon has stepped into the role of leader for our team," spoke Webber's Head Track & Field Coach David Andrews. "As a freshman, he led his team, a rarity among young athletes that enter college teams filled with upper classmen. Jordon possesses qualities that allow him to lead by example in the classroom as well as in practice and in meets. He works with others on the team academically, showing his teammates how to study, take notes, properly manage their time and surround themselves with like-minded people. In short, Jordon showed them how to be academically and socially successful. The response from his teammates was seen almost immediately. They respected him because he was walking it out as he was showing them in real-time what he was telling them. He maintains a high GPA, has a social life, and has seen a success on the track reaching the NAIA Outdoor National Championship as a freshman."

"During practice, Jordon's character shines so bright that it illuminates everything and everybody around him," added Andrews. "He is always positive and gives 100 percent to his workouts and 150 percent to his teammates that may be struggling or not as motivated to doing the workouts. He has been seen physically helping athletes up off the ground and helping them push through the walls that they are facing. Verbally, lifting crushed spirits, inspiring them to reach the goals that were set before them, all while going through his own personal pains and struggles. Remember, this is a freshman that has only run track for four months prior to coming to college, so, he is still learning the sport, a huge wall to climb in itself. However, Jordon has learned the sport quickly. He has figured out how to run and how to maintain his body throughout the year to be successful in his individual events as well as relay events. As the old adage goes, 'Hard work pays off'. Jordon teamed up with his teammates, all freshmen, and qualified for the NAIA Outdoor National Championship in the 4x100 meter relay."

"Jordon has volunteered in our community in a lot of ways, again displaying his great character," concluded Andrews. "He has volunteered as a part of the chain gang for the city league football teams, mentored young boys in the local elementary school, and has tutored elementary, high school and college students in various subjects. Jordon is the team representative on the student advisory board for the university, and was a key member of the community hurricane clean up initiative. Even with all of these great qualities and characteristics, it just doesn't begin to describe who Jordon Murrell is. Words alone cannot do him justice. I believe that Jordon Murrell is so deserving of this award. He is truly one of the kindest, sincerest, confident, caring and eager leaders that I have met. He truly embodies the quality of who and what a Warrior is. He is a Servant Leader."

"Jordon has taken three classes with me and has never had an unexcused absence or been late," said Dr. Elfie Farchmin, Webber's Faculty Athletic Representative. "Many of my classes have group projects required and Jordon has demonstrated his ability as a leader and as a team member."

This nomination at the Sun Conference level sends Murrell onto the NAIA national competition for the Duer Award. Murrell now will wait to see who the NAIA National Selection Committee picks as the national winner.