MOBILE, Ala. – After opening up the 2017 fall campaign with her second career win at the Azalea City Classic over the weekend, University of South Alabama women's cross country runner Laura Labuschaigne was named the Sun Belt Conference women's runner of the week as announced by the league office on Tuesday.

The Durbanville, West Cape, South Africa, native was also named the conference runner of the week last season on Oct. 5 after finishing 30th at the Greater Louisville Classic.  The junior is just the third Jaguar to be named women's cross country runner of the week multiple times by the Sun Belt joining former Jags Rebecca Beverly (four times) and Barbara Walker (two times).

Labuschaigne finished first out of the 36-runner field and crossed the line with a time of 17:40.0 which was nearly 30 seconds faster than teammate Carolien Millenaar who finished second in the 5k race.  

The win marked the second straight season that Labuschaigne has taken home the individual title at the Azalea City Classic.  Dating back to last season, Labuschaigne has now finished in the top 30 in each of her last six races.

South Alabama will next compete on Sept. 30 at the Greater Louisville Classic, hosted by the University of Louisville and the Louisville Sports Commission at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Finish Line Club, the track and field and cross country specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All donations to the Finish Line Club go directly to support the South Alabama track and field/cross country programs.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/finishlineclub.

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