DALLAS, Texas --- Tusculum University distance runner Nicole McMillen has been named to the 2019 Google Cloud NCAA Division II Academic All-District III Women's Cross Country / Track & Field first team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
McMillen will advance to the Google Cloud Academic All-America® ballot with the winners being announced next month. The Academic All-District 3 team is selected from nominees representing all colleges and universities in the South Atlantic Conference, Conference Carolinas and Peach Belt Conference.
McMillen earns a spot on the Google Cloud Academic All-District cross country/track & field team for a second straight year. Earlier this spring, she was also named the South Atlantic Conference Women's Track & Field Scholar Athlete of the Year.
The Pickering, Ontario native graduated from Tusculum earlier this month with a 3.92 cumulative grade point average while majoring in sport management. She is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Tusculum Athletic Director Roll, Dean's List, President's List and Charles Oliver Gray Honors List.
The multi-sport athlete has competed in track & field for two seasons, while also being a member of the Tusculum women's soccer and cross country teams. McMillen was named the 2019 SAC Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Meet after earning gold in three events: 3,000 meter steeplechase, 1,500 meter, and 5,000 meter runs.
Her first place mark in the steeplechase was the first time a Tusculum female student-athlete garnered a gold medal finish at the SAC Outdoor Championship. She was also the top finisher in the mile at the 2019 SAC Indoor Track & Field Championship.
She earned All-American honors in the steeplechase as she finished sixth at last week's NCAA II National Championship in Kingsville, Texas becoming the first TU female track & field All-American in program history. She has also earned All-Region honors in the steeplechase, 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter runs.
During her four seasons on the TU women's soccer team, she started in 68 matches as a defender where she amassed one goal and 12 assists. During her senior campaign, she led the Pioneers with eight assists which were tied for the second-most in the conference and 47th in the nation. She helped Tusculum to an 8-7-3 record and a sixth place showing in the league standings.
When she completed her soccer career, she transitioned to the cross country team in time to compete at the SAC Championships where she finished fifth in her inaugural collegiate meet and earn All-SAC first team honors. She also placed fifth at the NCAA II Southeast Region Championship and punched her ticket to the NCAA Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There she finished 59th which is the top national championship finish by a Tusculum cross country runner.
She was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Women's Soccer Academic All-America® second team as well as the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Scholar Team. She is a member of the 2018 USTFCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team and has earned spots on the Academic All-District first team for both women's soccer and cross country/track & field (2018, 2019).
Earlier this month, she was tabbed the 2018-2019 Tusculum University Female Athlete of the Year.
2019 Google Cloud Division II Academic All-District III Women's Cross Country / Track & Field First Team
Emma Driggers, Francis Marion
Savannah Drummonds, Lenoir-Rhyne
Nia Elmore, Clayton State
Leah Hanle, Mount Olive
Candise Lockett, Mount Olive
Nicole McMillen, Tusculum
Taylor Moncrief, Mount Olive
Ruva Mzinde, Wingate
Lucie Noall, Queens
Delaney Taylor, Mars Hill
Rebekah White, Carson-Newman
Sarah Wilder, Georgia College
