Busenitz Named 2017 DII Cross Country Ray Bullock Award Recipient

The NCCAA announced Faith Baptist Bible College runner Wendy Busenitz as the 2017 Ray Bullock Award Recipient for Division II Women's Cross Country.

Wendy, who grew up on a farm near Burns, Kansas, is a junior majoring in office administration. She is an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete who has maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA throughout her collegiate career. Starting with her freshman year, she has been named the FBBC Cross Country Team MVP every season and has been selected as a team captain since her sophomore year. Her Christian character, displaying a servant's heart and desire to please her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, defines Wendy's leadership of the team. She leads the team with her examples of hard work, encouragement, and consistent reminders to praise God no matter the outcome.

The record books at FBBC have been changed several times since Wendy's arrival on campus. She set the current school record a year ago on the Choctaw Trails Course in Jackson, Mississippi at the 2016 National Championship race, with a 5k time of 19:32.

While Wendy is an outstanding athlete, it is her relationship as a child of God that is most important to her and defines who she is.  Her desire to serve the Lord has led to many opportunities to share Christ's love, including a summer mission trip to China with other FBBC students, being a VBS leader at her home church each summer, and serving in the children's church ministry each week. FBBC Cross Country Coach Ryan Long stated, "It has been a privilege to be able to coach Wendy for the past three years.  God has blessed her with many talents, and it is wonderful to see her use those for His honor and glory, always maintaining a quiet humility."  Coach Long continued, "There have been times during a race that I have witnessed Wendy's character on display, voicing encouragement to her competitors to come along with her as she picks up the pace during the second half of the race.  She will be greatly missed following her graduation in the spring."

The Ray Bullock Cross Country Award, for women, was named in honor of Dr. Ray Bullock, who for many years has dedicated himself to the development of cross country as a sport in general, but as a ministry within the NCCAA. He has impacted the lives of countless student-athletes and coaches through his efforts. This award was established in order to enhance excellence in Christian cross country competition and to perpetuate the Christian philosophy and faith as exemplified through Christ-like cross country participation in NCCAA member institutions.

Release via The NCCAA.