AUBURN, Alabama—Auburn junior distance runner Ryan Kinnane was named the Southeastern Conference Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year the conference office announced Wednesday.
Kinnane is the second Auburn cross country student-athlete to receive the award joining the Ty McCormack who won during the award's inaugural year in 2014.
"I was honestly astounded to receive this award," Kinnane said. "There's a lot of hard work that my teammates and I all put into school and running all the time. It's just an honor and a privilege."
A junior from Andover, Kansas, Kinnane has a 3.92 grade point average and is pursuing a degree in professional flight. He has been named to the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society, Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll and was a 2021 USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete.
"This is a phenomenal accomplishment for Ryan and we're extremely proud of him," Auburn head coach Leroy Burrell said. "He's had a wonderful year and is a great ambassador and leader for our team. I couldn't be more grateful for Ryan and what he's meant to our program."
Kinnane has raced in four meets this season and was Auburn's top finisher in each meet, including a second-place finish at the Live in Lou Classic where he finished the 8k course in 23:21.6.
"Ryan is an exceptional worker both academically and athletically who embodies what this award represents," Auburn distance coach Aaron Kindt said. "Ryan puts 100 percent into everything he does and that's what makes him special. He attacks everything he does and leads by example."
The SEC also honored Ole Miss' Aiden Britt, who was a co-winner with Kinnane and Tori Herman of Kentucky who won the women's scholar-athlete of the year honors. The awards are voted on by the league's 14 head coaches. The trio will be recognized at the SEC Cross Country Championships Friday in Oxford, Mississippi.
Friday's championships will be televised live by the SEC Network starting with the women's 6k race at 10:08 a.m. CT followed by the men's 8k race at 10:50 a.m.