MEADVILLE, Pa. – For the second time this season, the Allegheny men's distance unit has been honored by the North Coast Athletic Conference. Although the Gators were previously acknowledged for an outstanding team effort as the college's distance medley relay has developed into one of the nation's premier attractions, an outstanding individual effort by senior Chris Marker resulted in this week's award, which was announced by the league office on Monday.

Still recovering from the flu, Marker turned in a strong mid-season performance in the 5000-meter run. The reigning 5k All-American ran an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14:46.29 in just his second race of the winter slate while finishing as the top Division III runner in the field at the Kent State Tune-Up. Marker, who finished fourth overall in the race, set an indoor personal record while posting the 22nd-fastest time in the nation this season.