Sophomore track and cross country standout Michael Harris was named the American Southwest Conference Men's Track and Field Distinguished Scholar-Athlete for the 2019 Spring season after winning the same award from Cross Country in the Fall.
Harris, a health science major from Elkins, Ark., set new program records this season in outdoor track in the 5,000-meter (15:36.63) and 10,000-meter (34:03.60). He also set a new indoor program record in the 3,000-meter (9:11.84) this season. Harris won his second straight ASC Championship in the 3000-meter steeple. In his track and cross country career, he has earned multiple academic and athletic awards including USTFCCCA All-Region, ASC Cross Country Newcomer of the Year, ASC Runner of the Week, Track ASC Co-High Point Athlete of the Meet, USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and All-Conference. He is a three-time individual ASC Track Champion. An ASC Academic All-Conference selection, Harris has been on the school's President's List and Dean's List with a 3.68 GPA in Health Science. His volunteer work includes serving as the assistant track coach at Clarksville High School.
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognize student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 13 ASC member institutions and two affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport.
Overall, 104 student-athletes were named to the American Southwest Conference 2019 Winter-Spring Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.