RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference has revealed its list of nominees for the league’s inaugural Female Athlete of the Year award to be presented at the GAC Night of Champions on June 20, 2012 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock, Ark.

Administrators from the nine current members of the league will vote on thefollowing nominees to determine the overall conference honoree. All nine will be recognized at the Night of Champions.

One of the nominees is Harding senior Gladys Kimtai for her work in cross country.

Kimtai was named the 2011 Great American Conference Women’s Cross Country Individual Champion, 1st Team All-GAC and a member of inaugural GAC Championship team. Kimtai also won the GAC 5K Championship in 17 minutes 18 seconds, placed 13th at the South Central Meet to earn All-Region honors and was Harding’s top finisher in two of the four races she competed in.

“Gladys has been one of the most dedicated athletes that I have coached," said coach Steve Guymon. "She comes from a home where her parents were killed when she was three years old and has overcome many obstacles.

"Gladys was our team captain and showed great leadership qualities during her time here. She also maintained a very high GPA while majoring in Pre-med.” 

Tickets to the Night of Champions are $25 per person and can be reserved by emailing GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt at greatamericanconference@gmail.com. The event will be featured on the GAC Sports Network online webcast for free at www.greatamericanconference.com.