MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Two Stillman College student-athletes, Willie Washington and Emmanuel Kipruto, were named to the Southern States Athletic Conference's 2022-23 Barnes & Noble College Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team, the SSAC announced May 12. 

The conference award embodies the same ideas as the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America, which is to honor student-athletes who excel both in the classroom and in competition. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be a sophomore or higher in both academic and athletic standings and have at least a 3.3 grade point average. Student-athletes must also be a starter or important reserve competing in 50% of the team's competitions.

"It's great to see these two amazing young scholar-athletes get recognized for their major accomplishments. Their hard work is paying off, and I can truly say I am extremely proud of their dedication to this institution, the program, and their academic achievements," said head coach Ashley Curry. "These two are great examples of what the Stillman Track and Field and Cross Country programs are about."

Washington graduated from Stillman College on May 6 with a 3.39 GPA and a degree in physical education. This is his second-straight year to be named to the SSAC Scholar-Athlete Team. A graduate of Isabella High School, Washington won his second-straight SSAC shot put championship in April, winning with a 13.76m throw. His career personal record was 14.45m at the UAB Invitational in early April. He was also eighth in the SSAC in the discus throw (37.62m) on April 22 after posting a personal-record and second-place throw of 37.93m on March 25 at Belhaven University. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Washington served as treasurer of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and was a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. He was a recipient of the UNCF Jansen Health Science Scholarship and Walt Disney Corporation Scholarship. He is also a VISTA Scholar, which creates internship opportunities across the region.

"Willie is leaving out with a bang. He is the true definition of a scholar-athlete," Curry said.

Kipruto, a junior from Kenya who holds a 4.0 GPA in biology, leads all members of the team in grade point average. This is the first semester Kipruto was eligible for the award after transferring to Stillman prior to Stillman in January 2022 from Oklahoma City University. Kipruto ran in five meets this season, competing in the 1500m, 5000m, 4x400m relay and 4x800m relay. At the SSAC Championships, he helped both relay teams to Top 8 finishes, including a fifth-place time of 3:44.36 in the 4x400 and an eighth-place time of 9:42.59 in the 4x800. He ran his season-best time in the 1500m at the SSAC Championships with a 4:32.88 to finish 12th. His best 5K time came two weeks prior at the University of Mobile Invitational, running a 17:28.52. 

"Emmanuel is a STEM major, and to be the leader of this group with a 4.0 GPA speaks volumes. This young man pushed through adversity and continued to excel on and off the track," Curry said. 

Stillman has received four selections to SSAC 2022-2023 Barnes & Noble College Scholar-Athlete Teams and five selections over the past two seasons. Washington and Chebogel were both selected to the 2021-22 Scholar-Athlete Team. 

2022-23 SSAC Men's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team
Carson Barlow, William Carey (Miss.)
Alex Beeler, William Carey (Miss.)
Devin Christopher, Mobile (Ala.)
Tucker Reynolds, Mobile (Ala.)
Kevin Richardson, Mobile (Ala.)
Emmanuel Kipruto, Stillman (Ala.)
Willie Washington, Stillman (Ala.)
Samuel Sneed, Florida College
Ian Lacquement, Florida College
Braddock Lord, Loyola (La.)
Jonathan Meadows, Talladega (Ala.)