STARKVILLE, Miss – After breaking her personal best record at the Memphis Twilight on Saturday, Rhianwedd Price was chosen as the SEC's Cross Country Women's Runner Athlete of the Week.
Price's weekly honor is the first for a Bulldog runner since Nick Perkins took home freshman honors for the men in 2010. She stands as the fourth overall runner in MSU women's cross country history to claim the weekly award and the first since Zita Magloire claimed athlete of the week honors in 2004.
"I feel so happy, shocked and just so thankful," Price said. "I really didn't even think about ever getting it, so it was a lovely surprise."
Price got medalist honors this weekend with a time of 17:05.67 in the 5K race, helping lead her squad to a first-place win overall.
"Rhianwedd had a great race," MSU coach Houston Franks said "We're really excited for her. Any time you're athlete of the week in this conference, it is a significant achievement."
During the 2013 campaign Price competed in one regular season meet as well as the SEC and NCAA South Regional Championship races. In the NCAA South Regionals she placed 12th individually with a time of 20:33.58.
"She had a great year last year," Franks said. "She worked hard this summer and had a great race this weekend. The team ran well, so she had great support with her. We're excited that she got it."
Price's first-place finish was shortly followed by teammates Lisa Ziegler in second (17:53.77) and Cornelia Griesche in fourth (17:55.67).
"I feel great about the first race," Price said. "It was good to get the first race done and to do well. It helps with my confidence a bit. I'm just happy to have had such great support from my teammates."
The Llandrindod Wells, U.K., native is in her sophomore year at MSU. She is majoring in animal and dairy science at MSU.
The Bulldogs return to action on Sept. 13 in Nashville at the Vanderbilt Classic.
