Kibler Named MASCAC Co-Male Scholar Athlete of the Year

Bath, Maine native wrap-ups strong academic and athletic career as a Falcon

FITCHBURG, Mass. (May 30, 2012) – Fitchburg State University senior cross country and track star Chris Kibler (Bath, Maine/Morse) has been selected the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference 2012 Male Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Kibler, an Exercise and Sport Science major, shared the honor with basketball standout Brian Clark of Salem State University.  Amanda Gricus, who starred in track and field at Westfield State University, was named the MASCAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The award is presented annually to male and female senior student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically while a student of a Massachusetts state university. To be considered for the award, a student-athlete must have achieved a least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and be in his or her last year of athletic eligibility.

“Chris is a totally deserving athlete,” said head coach Jim Jellison. “He worked extremely hard both academically and athletically, and continued to make huge strides from his freshman year on.”

Kibler, who was honored with Fitchburg State’s Male Leadership award at the annual Senior Awards Banquet, was a four-year member of the men’s cross country team and men’s outdoor track team, while serving three years on the indoor squad. Throughout his career, he led the Falcons to a pair of first place finishes in both cross country and outdoor track, while also leading Fitchburg State to a pair of runner up finishes on the indoor circuit.

A recipient of 12 MASCAC track weekly honors, Chris has etched his name in the program records books, breaking four school records in the DMR, the 4x800 relay, the 1500m and the 3000m. In addition, this season, Chris snapped a pair of MASCAC records, earning the league’s best mark in the indoor 3,000m run and gaining the Alliance meet record in the outdoor 10,000m run.

In the classroom, Chris was just as strong, boasting a 3.75 cumulative GPA. Throughout his career, he was named to both the Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s Honor List every semester, while receiving the Leadership Award in Exercise and Sports Science. Kibler concluded his academic career being named to the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

For more information regarding the MASCAC Senior Scholar Athlete Award, please visit www.mascac.com