Four Walters State student-athletes named TCCAA Players of the Week

MORRISTOWN, TN – Walters State racked up TCCAA Player of the Week awards this week, with four student-athletes earning honors in their respective sports. 

On Tuesday, the TCCAA named Gavin Slagle the TCCAA Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week, Katie Calkins the TCCAA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, Lilabeth Jordan the TCCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week and Greyson Smith the TCCAA Men's Golfer of the Week. 

Slagle earned the honor after breaking the Walters State Cross Country program record in an 8k race. At the Warhawk Invitational, Slagle ran 26:03 and finished in third place out of 156 runners. It was his fastest 8k time of the season by 56 seconds, and he helped guide the Senators to a fifth place finish out of 19 teams. 

Meanwhile, Calkins was named the Women's Runner of the Week after a 21st place finish out of 128 runners at the Warhawk Invitational. Calkins ran the 5k in a time of 20:44 and was the top finisher for the Lady Senators. 

For volleyball, Jordan had a strong week for the Lady Senators. In four matches, Jordan totalled 62 digs. Her career high in digs came in Friday's third match of the day against No. 23 Lurleen B. Wallace when Jordan had 28 digs. Jordan also had 17 digs in each of the matches against Monroe University and USC Salkehatchie. 

As for golf, Smith was named the Men's Golfer of the Week after taking home medalist honors at the Bill Gardner Fall Preview. Smith shot 3-over in his opening round and 1-over in his second round at the difficult Country Club in Morristown and led Walters State to the team title.