Auburn University junior Holly Knight was named the Southeastern Conference cross country athlete of the week for the week of Sept. 21.
Knight was given the award after finishing first in the conference and second overall in the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa Sept. 18. Knight won her previous race, the Troy Trojan Invitational Sept. 5.
Knight, who came to Auburn from Devon, England, to run cross country, said she was excited to learn she was named athlete of the week.
"It's a big confidence booster knowing that you're tops in the SEC," Knight said.
Knight also made sure to pay tribute to her teammates.
"I know this will be a big year for the team," Knight said. "Everyone is a lot stronger this year. This is a victory for the team."
Both Knight and her teammate, senior Laurel Pritchard, attribute the recent success of the cross country team to first-year head coach Mark Carroll.
"He's been amazing," Pritchard said. "He's such a good coach. He knew my name the first time we met. He was ready to go and organized. He has so much confidence in himself that it gave me a lot of confidence."
Knight also said Carroll has had a positive impact on the team.
"He's been really great," Knight said. "He's a former Olympian so he has so much knowledge. It's been really good to work with someone like that."
Carroll has enjoyed working with the Auburn cross country team.
"It's been great," Carroll said. "We have great guys and girls. They're committed and dedicated."
This year is Carroll's first year coaching an entire team of cross country runners.
After competing in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, Carroll coached individual runners in his home country of Ireland and was a consultant and manager for the Irish National Federation.
Carroll said his experience with the team is different from coaching individuals, but he has liked it.
"No complaints so far," Carroll said. "Learning each individual's style is the hardest. I have my own philosophy that I try to bring to the team. I ask them to do things that are new for them and for the most part they have been very receptive."
Carroll said he has especially enjoyed working with Knight.
"Holly is absolutely super," Carroll said. "She's a pleasure to work with, she's receptive and she's a talented lady. I expect her to have a high finish at the NCAA tournament."
Pritchard said that not only is Knight talented, but she is also a great teammate.
"She's a hard worker and encouraging person," Pritchard said. "She's extremely talented, but she trains really hard too. She deserves athlete of the week 100 percent."
Pritchard said the best part of having Knight as a teammate is that Knight always has her back.
"Our team is really small so we bond really well," Pritchard said. "If one person is down, someone will always pick you up. Holly is great at that, even when she's had a bad day. Everyone is great at picking you up, but Holly is really great."
Knight said she wants to continue running for a long time, but has not considered a professional career.
"I'll see how the next couple of years go," Knight said. "Most athletes dream to run at a top level. I guess I'll see how the rest of college goes and go from there."
Right now, Knight is focused on the rest of the cross country season.
The team's next challenge is the Wisconsin Badger Invitational, a race that Carroll called the team's "first major test."
"I'm just going to keep training," Knight said. "Then it's off to Wisconsin for our first 6K race next weekend."
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