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Savannah, GA: Track and field member Ryan Morris (Dryden, VA), traveled to Savannah, Georgia, on March 19th to compete in the Skidaway Island Marathon. In a field of over 200 runners, the senior finished the 26.2-mile race in a time of 2:47:08, earning him first place overall. He averaged an impressive 6:18 pace in the huge victory.

Morris’ time also automatically qualifies him for the upcoming 2022 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship scheduled for May 25th-27th in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He is the first track athlete in school history to earn this honor. His coach and trainer, Brittney Owens, was quick to heap praise on her fleet-footed star. “Ryan is the most dedicated runner I have ever met. All his hard work and effort paid off during this race. I am so excited to have the opportunity to cheer him on at the NAIA Nationals in Alabama!”  

In addition to the nationals, the speedster has also qualified for next year’s Boston Marathon, which fulfills a longtime goal. “Everyone who knows me knows how bad I wanted to qualify for nationals and Boston,” Morris stated. “It slipped away from me a few years ago, but I never gave up. I’m just thankful to see my hard work and drive pay off!”

It would be an understatement to say that Morris has had a successful running career at Alice Lloyd College. The senior is a three-time NCCAA DII All-American. He has also qualified and ran in the NAIA Men’s Cross-Country Championship and the NCCAA DII Cross Country Championship. Additionally, he holds the 8K school-record time of 26:04, was named NCCAA DII Men’s Cross-Country National Student-Athlete of the Week and has been named by the River States Conference as Cross-Country Runner-of-the Week and Track Athlete of the Week.

In 2021, he was chosen by the conference as the male recipient of the Bill Melton River States Conference Champion of Character Award. He was also selected as the Alice Lloyd College Cross Country Champion of Character winner.

Morris is double-majoring in History and Communication Studies and minoring in Criminal justice. He is set to graduate in May 2022.