KANSAS CITY, Mo.— According to a release from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Montreat College women's cross country student-athlete Heather Murphy secured her third accolade in as many days. After being named both the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week and the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NAIA Women's National Athlete of the Week on Monday, Murphy was also selected as the NAIA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week on Wednesday.
 
Despite winning numerous conference and national honors throughout her young career, this marks Murphy's first Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week nod from the national office.
 
A stellar effort at the Queen City Invite last Friday propelled Murphy to the trio of awards. Running at Queens University of Charlotte's annual September meet, Murphy concluded her 5k as the top NAIA finisher. The Portarlington, Ireland native utilized an average mile time of 5:33.4 to cross the end line in 17:15.79. Murphy's showing shaved nearly three full seconds off her previous school record, and she rode that program-best time to a sixth-place finish out of 228 runners. Only five NCAA Division I competitors—three from Wake Forest University and two from UNC Charlotte—ran faster than Murphy in Charlotte, N.C. Her performance also helped the Cavaliers snag ninth place out of 20 squads.
 
For a look at the official NAIA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week release, click here.
 
Murphy and the Montreat women's cross country team return to action on Oct. 4 at the Live in Lou Classic in Louisville, Ky.