FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-11-99

Edward Jones & AASU To Honor Blue Chip Athlete Of The Month

Standout Cross Country Runner Nikki Garland Is September's Honoree

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Women's cross country runner Nikki Garland, who has captured three individual titles and finished second in two other races in 1999, is the first recipient of the Edward Jones Investments/AASU Blue Chip Athlete of the Month award.

Edward Jones Investments and the AASU Athletic Department have created the award to spotlight successful student-athletes monthly, during the academic year. September's honoree, Garland, is the first of nine that will be awarded in the 1999-2000 season.

Garland's junior season has been spectacular so far. She captured individual titles at the Georgia Southern Opener, the Pre-PBAC Conference Meet and the Winthrop Invitational, then finished second at the USC Spartanburg Invitational and the prestigious Disney CC Classic. She was named the NCAA Division II Cross Country Association's Southeast Region women's runner of the month for September and has led the Lady Pirates to a No. 2 ranking in the Southeast Region. Last season, Garland earned NCAA Division II Track All-America honors.

“Nikki has taken it upon herself to improve and has become stronger as a runner than last year,“ AASU Head Cross Country Coach Greg Wimer said. “She has a great chance to win the upcoming Conference and Regional meets and get back to the NCAA Championships.”

Philip Whisnant of Edward Jones Investments will present Garland with the award at AASU's volleyball match vs. USC Aiken on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m.

-Pirates-