Rock Hill, S.C. - Following a stellar season on the course, senior Sam Fulton has been named the Men's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year by the South Atlantic Conference. 

An Exercise Science major, Fulton holds a 3.953 GPA and has been named to the Dean's List each semester in school. Fulton has been honored by Chi Alpha Sigma and has earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors during his time at Lincoln Memorial, while also earning the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award.  

This past season, Fulton competed in six events, including finishing 49th in the 2025 NCAA Division II Southeast Region Cross Country Championships, running a 34:01.0 in the 10k. Fulton's senior season also included a top-40 finish in the South Atlantic Conference Championship and a top-15 finish at the South Atlantic Conference Preview race, where he helped the Splitters finish first overall in the meet.  

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award goes to one student-athlete in each championship sport and is selected by the SAC Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The honor recognizes academic performance, athletic success, service, and leadership. 

A full list of the finalists for the award can be found below.  

2025 Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Finalists 
Andrew Zona, Carson-Newman 
Eli Taylor, Mars Hill 
Ian Pierce, Catawba 
Jerry Ricker, Tusculum 
Oskar Enseling, Wingate 
Sam Fulton, Lincoln Memorial – Winner 
Sam Tindall, Emory & Henry