FROM STAFF REPORTS

Former Pelham High School athlete Dena O’Brien, who has earned two Southern Conference Athlete of the Week awards this season as a freshman at the College of Charleston, was honored by the league recently as she received February Athlete of the Month honors.

O’Brien began the month by setting a personal-best in the 5000-meter race at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational with a time of 17:13.11, setting a College of Charleston school record at the time.  The next week at the Dick Taylor Invitational, O’Brien set school records in the mile run with her time of 4:59.28 and the 3000-meter race with her time of 9:46.83.

O’Brien really shined at the SoCon Indoor Championship in Clemson, S.C., as she shattered a 22-year-old 5000-meter record with a time of 16:46.59, nearly 30 seconds faster than her previous personal best. O’Brien also took second place in the 3000-meter race at the conference championship.

College of Charleston head coach Amy Seago said O’Brien has seen her hard work pay off in her first season at the school.

“Dena has had a remarkable freshman season so far,” Seago said. “She always comes to practice with a smile on her face and is eager to train and get better.”