Rosen named SEC Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE – Jillian Rosen of the fifth-ranked University of Arkansas Lady Razorback cross country team was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week it was announced by the league office in Birmingham, Ala.

Rosen, racing in just her third collegiate competition was once again among the Lady Razorback leaders at the Bill Dellinger Invitational in Eugene, Ore., finishing 11th overall and was the second Arkansas runner to cross the line. The Dallas, Texas, native has been among Arkansas’ top two in each of her three competitions.

“This is well deserved,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “Jillian has been a pleasant surprise for us all season. We knew that she had great talent, but didn’t think that she would be among our leaders this early in the season. We believed that she would work her way into that role as time went on. As a staff we couldn’t be more proud of what she has accomplished this season.”

Racing in the first 6,000-meter competition of her career, Rosen clocked the 30th fastest time in Lady Razorback history at 20:38, helping Arkansas to a second-place team finish at the Dellinger Invitational. Finishing side-by-side with junior teammate Christine Kalmer at the race, Rosen notched her second number two finish among Lady Razorback runners.

In three races this fall, Rosen has amassed a startling record of 286-13 against the fields and leads Arkansas with a .957 winning percentage. Her three finishes this fall have been second, third and 11th and she was Arkansas’ number one runner at the Aztec Invitational. Even more impressive about Rosen’s Dellinger competition is that she finished 11th overall in a competition that featured six of the nation’s top 30 teams.

Rosen is the second Lady Razorback to earn SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Teammate Catherine White was the first to take the award which the conference office began issuing this fall in the first week of the award, Sept. 11. Rosen’s honor is the fourth ever handed out by the SEC.

The Lady Razorbacks are off this weekend in preparation for the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival on Oct. 13. For more information about Lady Razorback cross country or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.