CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Women's cross country runner
Kimone Hewitt (Orange County, Calif., Segerstram High School) has been named the female InterCon Student-Athlete of the Month for her efforts during the month of October.
Hewitt set a new school record for a 5k race with a time of 18:03.11 at the Greater Louisville Classic. The record-setting pace was also the fastest time posted by a Conference Carolinas women's cross country runner at that point in the season. Hewitt's 53rd place finish, out of 302 runners, helped the Royals team finish 23rd out of the Division I and Division II field of 35 teams and defeat Division II No. 23 Columbus State and DI teams Davidson, Georgia Tech and Miami.
At Queens' own Royals Cross Country Challenge Hewitt was the first DII runner to cross the finish line. Out of 190 runners, Hewitt placed eighth overall and sixth out of collegiate runners with a time of 18:04.11. Again, her strong efforts helped Queens to a fantastic finish. The Royals placed sixth, the top DII team, and helped to secure Queens a national ranking of No. 22.
When asked to describe Kimone, Head Coach Scott Simmons said “Kimone has been a great leader on a team full of leaders. She supports and gives credit to her teammates but deserves credit in her own right for the development she has had over the last four months into a national caliber athlete. What's exciting is, is the best is yet to come!”
Since the end of October Hewitt has not slowed down. At the Conference Carolinas Championship she captured the individual title and set a new league record.
Members of the Sports Information office caught up with Kimone and asked her a few questions about her experience:
Q: Kimone, this is your first SAM award, describe the feeling of winning:
A: I was very surprised when my coach told me that I was the InterCon Student-Athlete of the Month. It is such a great accomplishment because there are so many other student athletes that are just as talented, dedicated and hard working. I am proud to be recognized as the InterCon Student-Athlete of the Month. By being named the winner this month, it just shows that my hard work and dedication are paying off and that I am on the right track to accomplish all my goals that I set for myself. All I have to do know is keep working hard and stay focused and humble.
Q: You set a new league record at the Conference Carolinas Championship, what else do you hope to accomplish in your remaining season?
A: For the remainder season I want to finish in the top five at the Southeast Regional Championship, if not win regionals. It will be my first time running a 6k, so winning this race would be an incredible accomplishment for me. Also, I want to win regionals as a team. To know that all of the hard work each of us did this season, training and motivating one another, could be shown in such an honorable way would be amazing. Once more, I know we have the talent and the motivation to win. In addition, I want to place in the top 15 at nationals. As this will be my first year going into a national championship and the second year for the team, I want to finish in the top ten as a team, which I know would be the highlight for the season for both the team and my coach.
A few fun ones. Hewitt was given a list of 20 questions and asked to answer 10.
1. The song I listen to pump me up is: Nelly Number one
2. Must-have on road trips: cell phone, Mac Book, Ipod and lots of clothes so I have options and what I want to wear.
3. My favorite magazine is: Cosmo
4. The teammate that does the best impression of me is: Nelson
5. Who can't sing: I can't sing.
6. Who spends too much time looking in the mirror: I spend too much time looking in the mirror so I am always late
7. Any rituals before a game: I have to wear my lucky underwear and listen to music.
8. The sport I play the worst is: Basketball
9. I wish I knew how to: cook.
10 Nothing annoys me more than: people act like they know it all
