ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Valley Conference honored redshirt-freshman Nicole Benson (Peoria, Ill./Limestone H.S.) as this week's women's cross country athlete of the week for her outstanding performance at the Western Illinois Early Bird Invitational in Macomb, Ill. Sept. 4. Indiana State's Michael Disher received the men's award.

In her first collegiate meet at Bradley, Benson finished 59 seconds ahead of the field of 79 runners with a time of 21:58. Her win also helped the women's cross country squad earn its first team victory since 2006.

The Braves will host the 24th annual Bradley Open this Friday, Sept. 11 at Detweiller Park.