CCU’s Bothma named NCAA Southeast Region Athlete of the Year

Coastal Carolina cross country runner Annie Bothma was named NCAA Southeast Region Athlete of the Year on Tuesday.

The award was voted on by members of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The redshirt freshman won the NCAA Southeast Regional on Friday at Panorama Farms in Charlottesville, Va., finishing with a time of 20:15.4 to advance to this Saturday’s NCAA Championship meet in Terre Haute, Ind.

Former CCU runner Letitia Saayman earned the award after winning the Southeast Region race a year ago, giving the Chants back-to-back first-place finishes and once again an individual in the NCAA race.

CCU coach Jeff Jacobs believes his runner could make school history in this week’s race. Saayman finished 18th there last year and Julia Viellehner had a program-best 11th place finish in the national meet in 2006.

“I’d like to think the top 10 is even possible,” Jacobs said. “She’s on track for a pretty good performance there.”

For Bothma, just getting there is an accomplishment.

“This is really like a big thing for me,” Bothma said. “This is my first time going so I’m really excited and I know I’ll be competing against the best girls in the country. I’m really excited.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "CCU’s Bothma named NCAA Southeast Region Athlete of the Year."