Dec. 5, 2005

IRVING, Texas ----- UAB junior Elizabeth Ambrus was named Conference USA Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year on Monday, as she was a unanimous selection in a poll taken by the C-USA women's cross country coaches. Ambrus, who was the C-USA Champion and top league finisher at the NCAA Championship this season, becomes the first Blazer to win athlete of the year honors.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Elizabeth," said UAB head coach Ray Stanfield. "She has done a great job since coming to UAB. She has had a huge role in changing UAB cross country. We are now on the national radar and a lot of that is due to Elizabeth's success."

The Arlington Heights, Ill., native was also the first Blazer to capture the individual title at the C-USA Championship where she set a personal best of 17:02.95 on the 5K course at the DISNEY WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS® Complex. Ambrus earned All-South Region honors after leading UAB to a fourth-place finish at the South Regional in Gainesville, Fla. The Blazers' finish was their best ever at the regional as Ambrus led the way, finishing eighth overall.