ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum's David Cooper has been named the South Atlantic Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week announced league officials Tuesday. This marks the second time this season he has earned this honor.

Cooper, a 5-7, 135-pound sophomore from Greeneville, Tenn., captured his second individual title this season and third of his career by winning the Maryville Invitational on Saturday. The Chuckey-Doak High School graduate posted an 8K time of 27:29 for the 17th fastest time in Tusculum history as he led the Pioneers to their second team victory this season.

He has finished in the top 20 in all six meets this fall, including top-four showings in each of his last four meets. He finished runner-up at the Carson-Newman Challenge and followed with a first place performance at the Warren Wilson Invitational. He also finished fourth at the Bulldog Invitational in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Cooper was named to the 2012 Preseason All-SAC Second Team and was his team's most valuable runner last year. At the 2011 SAC Championship, he finished 21st to earn a spot on the SAC All-Freshmen Team.

Cooper is majoring in business administration and is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll. He was also the recipient of the Tusculum Academic Freshman of the Year Award last season.

Cooper and the Pioneers continue their preparations for next Saturday's (Oct. 20) Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Championship, which will be held on the Tusculum College campus.

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