SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Lauren D’Alessio has been named the Southern Conference Women’s Runner of the Week for her performance at the Greater Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky., the league office announced today.

The junior from Pelham, Ala. finished fifth overall at the Greater Louisville Classic with a time of 17:06.47 in the 5K. The Bulldogs, who ran in the gold heat, finished 19th out of 30 teams.

D’Alessio and the rest of the Samford squad will return to competition on Oct. 15 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the Alabama Crimson Classic. That will be the last meet for the Bulldogs before heading to Charleston, S.C. for the Southern Championship on Oct. 29. Last year, D’Alessio finished second in the conference meet.

2011 Southern Conference Women’s Runners of the Week

Week 1: Erin Barker, Furman

Week 2: Morgan Denecke, Elon

Week 3: Ashley Schnell, UNCG

Week 4: Dena O’Brien, College of Charleston

Week 5: Lauren D’Alessio, Samford