Southerland selected as September Athlete of the Month

Nicki Southerland, 18, of Muncie has been named the USATF Indiana Athlete of the Month for September 2023. Southerland, a senior at Delta High School, has announced she will matriculate to Notre Dame next year.

Southerland competed five times during the month winning three times and setting two course records.

She started the month off with a third-place finish at the Marion Invitational on September 2 running 17:30.

Three days later she won the Delaware County Championship for the fourth straight year. Her time of 18:09 set a new course record.

On September 16 she won the Flashrock Invitational setting a new course record of 17:02 on the renowned Northview Church course.

The following week she won the Hoosier Heritage Conference Championships on the Blue River XC course in Shelbyville. Her time of 17:07 is the #2 time ever on the course (Lilly Cridge, 16:59). It was her third conference title; having previously won in 2020 and 2022.

She finished the month off on September 30 as she finished second at the Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational in Terre Haute. Her time of 17:07 is #11 all-time on the Lavern Gibson course and the second fastest ever by an Indiana athlete (Lilly Cridge, 17:03).

Marion Invitational (September 2; Marion, IN)
Delaware County Meet (September 5; Cowen, IN)
Flashrock Invitational (September 16; Carmel, IN)
Hoosier Heritage Conference Champs. (September 23; Shelbyville, IN)
Nike XC Town Twilight  (September 30; Terre Haute, IN)