NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Lejaune George was named Thursday the 2022 Louisiana Freshman of the Year in men's cross country.
        A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel of college publicists selected the major awards. The 2022 All-Louisiana team, also announced Thursday, was based on the fastest seven individuals at 8,000 meters.
        George — from Zachary, La., and a graduate of Zachary High School — was the fastest Gold Rush finisher in all five meets. He was 13th at the Red River Athletic Conference Championships in 27 minutes, 51.4 seconds — XULA's fastest 8K time at this distance (any meet) since 2013. He led the Gold Rush to third place in the RRAC.
        George's 22:42.37 at the Nicholls Invitational was the Gold Rush's fastest four-mile time in eight years and No. 14 on XULA's all-time list at that distance. In his first college meet he became XULA's fourth freshman to break 17 minutes in a 5K.
        George is the fifth XULA man to earn Louisiana Freshman of the Year in this sport. The others were Prince Mumba (2002), David Salmon (2007), Mark Dotson (2009) and Kwame Jackson (2011). Jackson was a XULA men's and women track and field/cross country graduate assistant this past season.

2022 All-Louisiana Men's Cross Country Team
Bradley Makuvire, Tulane, 23:25.5 8K
Kolyn Saltzman, New Orleans, 23:55.0
Omar El-Fadl, McNeese, 24:13.0
Evans Kipchumba, Tulane, 24:13.5
Jaden Forester, New Orleans, 24:18.0
Jackson Martingayle, LSU, 24:22.0
Jacob Kipkogei, McNeese, 24:24.0

Runner of the Year:  (tie) Bradley Makuvire, Tulane; Kolyn Saltzman, New Orleans
Newcomer of the Year:  no nominees
Freshman of the Year:  Lejaune George, XULA
Coach of the Year:  (tie) Adrian Myers, Tulane; Lon Badeaux, Louisiana-Lafayette

Lejaune  George photo by Yamlak Tsega