Dec. 5, 2005

UAB junior Elizabeth Ambrus was named the Conference USA Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year on Monday, as she was a unanimous selection in a poll taken by the C-USA women's cross country coaches. Ambrus, who was the C-USA Champion and top league finisher at the NCAA Championship this season, becomes the first Blazer to win athlete of the year honors.

The Arlington Heights, Ill., native was also the first Blazer to capture the individual title at the C-USA Championship where she set a personal best of 17:02.95 on the 5K course at the DISNEY WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS® Complex. Ambrus earned All-South Region honors after leading UAB to a fourth-place finish at the South Regional in Gainesville, Fla. The Blazers' finish was their best ever at the regional as Ambrus led the way finishing eighth overall.

The C-USA Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year will be announced on Tuesday.