COLUMBIA, S.C. – Allen University women's cross country sophomore Diosleydis Gutierrez has been named the SIAC Runner of the Week following her record-breaking performance at the Yellow Jacket Invite, the conference office announced on Tuesday.
Gutierrez earned the first weekly honor of her career after winning the individual title at the 1st Annual Yellow Jacket Invite on Thursday at Owens Field Park Cross-Country Course, crossing the finish line in 20:43.8 to lead all runners in the women's 5K race. Running at an average pace of 6:40.3 per mile, Gutierrez shattered the program's previous 5K record of 21:35, a mark that had stood in the name of Jamea Lindley, shaving nearly a full minute off the standard in what was remarkably the first cross country race of her career.
Gutierrez's historic debut helped power the Yellow Jackets to a second-place finish in the team standings, behind only Columbia (S.C.), as Allen posted a score of 37 points to edge out Denmark Tech for the runner-up spot. She was joined in the top nine by teammates Tyra Howard, Evelynia Collins, and Jaida Stevens, as the Yellow Jackets showed strong depth in front of a home crowd as meet host.
The Aiken, S.C., native is the first Allen runner to earn SIAC Runner of the Week honors this season.
Allen returns to action Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Converse University Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C.
