Sept. 16, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky cross country’s Cally Macumber was named National Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday. Macumber posted one of the nation’s fastest 5,000-meter times of the young cross country season last Saturday.

Macumber, the defending Southeastern Conference and Southeast Region champion, returned to form in a big way this past weekend. She earned a commanding victory by a 26-second margin on her home course at Masterson Station Park, winning the 5k Kentucky Bluegrass Invitational with a time of 16:32.10.

The 2012 All-American cruised through the 5k course at an average mile pace of 5:19, outpacing a field that included runners from No. 21 Oklahoma State and 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor 5000 meter All-American Ann Eason of Eastern Kentucky, who finished second.

Macumber’s personal-best cross country 5k time was nearly two minutes faster than her performance two weeks earlier at the Belmont Opener. Notably, the temperature in Lexington last Saturday was around 30 degrees cooler than it had been during her 2013 debut in Nashville, Tenn.

Macumber’s 5k time was also just 28 seconds off her track personal best at the same distance.

Kentucky will return to competition on Sept. 28, 2013 for the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla.