Jarrett Slaven and Jess Butler Recipients of Major SSC Awards

ORLANDO, Fla. - A fixture atop the Sunshine State Conference cross country coaching circuit, Jarrett Slaven picked up his fifth straight SSC Female Coach of the Year award as he was also awarded the honor of being the top male coach. Jess Butler was also named the female co-runner of the year.

Joining Butler and fellow co-runner of the year Tereza Novotna on the all-SSC team were: Nicole Clarke (Florida Tech), Lauryn Falcone (Rollins), Kaia Hampton (Tampa), Heather Nicolosi (Tampa), and Alexandria Palm (Nova Southeastern).

A senior from Coral Springs, Fla., Butler notched two top-five finishes in five races. She placed second at the SSC Championship with a mark of 21:48.06 on the 6K course. She also placed second in a field of 269 runners at the Disney Classic.

Slaven wins his fifth straight SSC Coach of the Year award after leading Tampa to its fifth consecutive SSC title. Currently in his 13th season at Tampa, his Spartans have won the conference championship eight of the past nine years. His squad registered a top-five finish in all six races in which it competed this fall, finishing first at the Disney Classic in addition to the SSC Championship. Slaven has been honored as the SSC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year 10 times.

Joining SSC Male Runner of the Year Moses Kirui on the all-SSC team were: David Boiywo (Florida Tech), Omar Hernandez (Nova Southeastern), Eric Larson (Florida Southern), Kevin Meagher (Nova Southeastern), Peter Orgass (Tampa), and Charles Toledo (Tampa).

Slaven wins Coach of the Year honors after leading Tampa to its first SSC Men's Cross Country Championship in program history. Slaven's squad posted four top-five finishes in six races this fall. The Spartans placed four runners in the top-10 at the SSC race to claim their first conference crown. Currently in his 13th season at UT, Slaven was also recognized as SSC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2007. He has been named Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year 10 times.

2011 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
David Boiywo, Florida Tech, Junior
Omar Hernandez, Nova Southeastern, Junior
Moses Kirui, Florida Tech, Junior
Eric Larson, Florida Southern, Senior
Kevin Meagher, Nova Southeastern, Junior
Peter Orgass, Tampa, Senior
Charles Toledo, Tampa, Junior

Runner of the Year - Moses Kirui, Florida Tech
Freshman of the Year - Justin McMaster, Florida Tech
Coach of the Year - Jarrett Slaven, Tampa

2011 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
Jessica Butler, Tampa, Senior
Nicole Clarke, Florida Tech, Senior
Lauryn Falcone, Rollins, Junior
Kaia Hampton, Tampa, Junior
Heather Nicolosi, Tampa, Senior
Tereza Novotna, Saint Leo, Freshman
Alexandria Palm, Nova Southeastern, Sophomore

Co-Runner of the Year - Jessica Butler, Tampa
Co-Runner of the Year - Tereza Novotna, Saint Leo
Freshman of the Year - Tereza Novotna, Saint Leo
Coach of the Year - Jarrett Slaven, Tampa