BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Jacksonville State sophomore Ericka Stam has claimed the Ohio Valley Conference's Women's Runner of the Week award, announced by the league office on Tuesday.

Stam, a native of Keller, Texas, paced the Gamecock women to a third-place finish in the JSU/Strut's season opener this past Saturday in Oxford, Ala. Stam claimed bronze with a time of 14 minutes, 19 seconds in the two-mile event.

"Ericka (Stam) had a great first meet showing and at least 90% of her effort was due to the fact that she did her job this summer,” said JSU head coach Steve Ray. “We coaches all send workouts with our kids when they leave campus for the summer break, but it is up to the young man or woman to actually do the work. In between jobs, family vacations and even simple leisure activites winners find a way to make time for their training. And that is what Ericka is - a winner. I think she is going to have a great year and there will be plenty more top finishes for her as we work our way through the schedule".

Stam and the Gamecocks return to competition on Friday, Sept. 10, traveling to Atlanta, Ga. to take part in the Georgia State Invitational.