BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Vanderbilt’s Nick Laning used a superb performance at the Commodore Classic last Saturday to earn Southeastern Conference Freshman Runner of the Week honors, league officials announced Tuesday.
Laning, a product of Barrington (Ill.) High School, became the fastest Commodore ever over Vanderbilt’s Percy Warner Park home course when he finished the 8-kilometer distance in 25:36.80.
Laning becomes just the second Commodore male to receive SEC weekly cross country recognition, joining Austin Williamson, who was named SEC Runner of the Week on Sept. 26, 2006.
Laning’s performance resulted in a 20th place individual finish at the Commodore Classic, which featured 139 competitors from 19 participating teams, including a pair of squads from the Big Ten Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference. Laning also helped Vanderbilt to a 10th place team finish.
Laning’s performance was the third-fastest by a Commodore runner in the last decade at the Percy Warner Park venue.
Laning and the Commodores return to competition Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky.
