Freshman Maegan Leider of the women’s cross country team is the 11th Taco Bell Athlete of the Week for the 2012-13 academic year. She is earning the award for the third time of her career after leading the Tornados to an 18th-place finish at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championship.
Leider, who was named the American Southwest Conference Freshman of the Year two weeks ago, placed first on the team and 63rd in the field by navigating the 6,000-meter circuit in 24:51.83. Her performance helped the team post its second-highest finish in program history at the postseason meet.
"Maegan had a great experience running at the NCAA Regional," said head coach Alex Aldaco. "She and the others learned a lot that should help us in future championship races."
A pre-nursing major from Lakewood, Colo., Leider is the daughter of Margie Cupps and Beck Leider. She has two brothers, Kevin and AJ, and two sisters, Becka and Erin.
