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Harold Smith has been named Lee University's Male Athlete of the Week after leading the Flames to the first Gulf South Conference Championship in school history in their first offical year of competition.

The Cleveland native and Bradley Central product, led a group of six Lee runners that claimed spots in the Top 20. The event was staged at the Oakville INdian Mounds Cross Country Course in Florence, Ala.

Smith led the Flames with a personal-best 24:45.61 in the 8K race. The sophomore finished second out of 89 runners. Alfred Chelanga of Shorter University was the individual winner (23:53.85).

"It feels good to lead Lee to its first conference championship in the NCAA," said Smith. "We are a team. I couldn't do what I do without the support of my teammates. This was our first goal of three we have set for our team this year. I can't wait to see what we do in the weeks to come."

Smith and the Flames will compete next on Nov. 7 in the NCAA South Regional, hosted by Saint Leo University and the Tampa Sports Commission at the Abbey Course in Saint Leo, Fla.