Dec. 4, 2007

Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa's John Beattie, a junior cross country/track athlete and native of Southampton, England, was named 2007 Conference USA Male Cross Country Newcomer of the Year, as voted upon by C-USA cross country coaches.

Beattie transferred to Tulsa from the University of Southampton in Southampton, England. In his first season as a Golden Hurricane, the junior was TU's top-finisher in the three major meets including the NCAA Championship, NCAA Midwest Regional and C-USA Championship. At nationals, he placed 127th with a 10K time of 31:22, after clocking a sixth-place time of 30:11 at the NCAA Midwest Regional. Beattie earned All-C-USA second team honors after crossing the finish line sixth with a time of 25:20 at the conference meet. As a team, Tulsa placed 29th at nationals, fourth at regionals and second at the conference championship.