JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Edward Waters University men's cross country standout Alex Payne III has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men's Runner of the Week following an impressive performance at the Ed Holloway Classic, hosted by Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida.
Payne led the way for the Tigers in the men's 8-kilometer race, crossing the finish line in 28:38.8 to place 49th overall against a competitive field of runners.
His performance marked the fastest finishing time among all Edward Waters competitors in the event, highlighting his ability to lead the Tigers against strong regional competition.
Payne's effort at the Ed Holloway Classic provided another positive showing for the Edward Waters men's cross country program as the Tigers continued their preparations for the upcoming conference championship season.
The weekly recognition serves as a testament to Payne's hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence throughout the 2026 campaign.
His ability to set the pace for Edward Waters and deliver a strong performance over the challenging 8K distance has made him a valuable contributor to the Tigers' distance running program.
The selection also adds to a successful week for Edward Waters cross country, as Lady Tigers standout Alaysa Chipunov was also named SIAC Women's Runner of the Week following her 31st-place finish in the women's 6K race at the same meet.
With Payne and Chipunov sweeping the conference's weekly cross country honors, Edward Waters continues to demonstrate its growing presence and competitiveness within the SIAC.
As the 2026 season approaches its championship stretch, Payne will look to build upon his latest performance and carry that momentum into the Tigers' upcoming competitions.
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