NEW ORLEANS  – Appalachian State University men's cross country runner Michael Ellis was tabbed the Sun Belt Conference Male Runner of the Week, as announced by the league's office on Thursday.

“I am very happy for Mike,” said head coach Michael Curcio. “He has put in a lot of work over the summer here in Boone, and he is seeing the rewards of his efforts. Mike has come a long way from his freshman year of college and has been able to make his mark on the program.”

Ellis commenced the 2016 season grabbing fifth place out of 105 runners at the Covered Bridge Open in Boone last Friday. The Winston-Salem native ran a time of 20:18.14 in the 6,400 meters and led the Mountaineers to a third-place finish.

The senior also received the honor on Sept. 9, 2015, after taking second at the Covered Bridge Open, and on Sept. 23, 2015, following a first-place finish at the 32nd annual Winthrop/Adidas Cross Country Invitational.