JACKSONVILLE – Jax State's
Juliana Ballew has been awarded Jax State's first-ever Conference USA Spirit of Service Award following the school's first semester in the league.
Conference USA announced its Fall Spirit of Service Award winners Friday. The award honors student-athletes with significant community service endeavors, good academic standing and participation in their sport. The Spirit of Service award is presented three times throughout the season, with Friday's honorees representing men's and women's cross country, football, women's soccer and volleyball.
Ballew, a hometown product of Jacksonville, Ala., graduated last month at Jacksonville State's December commencement ceremonies. She earned a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences carrying a 3.65 GPA. As a cross country senior, and throughout her career, Ballew has been strongly involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She helped this fall with the Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center's toy drive and most recently, Operation Christmas Child. Ballew shined on the course during her senior campaign, setting new personal records in both 5K and 6K races. She landed in the top five of Jax State's inaugural CUSA championship meet to guide the Gamecocks to its best conference championship team finish since 2011. The senior finished her fall season at the 2023 NCAA South Region meet in Gainesville, Florida, where she helped Jax State to its best postseason finish since 2013.
"Juliana battled through a tremendous amount of adversity during her time at Jax State. She probably spent more days watching practice then actually practicing. But her smile never wavered," said head cross country and track coach
Jeremy Provence.
"She brought it each and every day. Juliana has that positive energy that elevates everyone. Not only did she share it with her teammates, coaches, and everyone on campus at Jax State, but she extended it to the Jacksonville community through various volunteer opportunities. This past season, Juliana shined on the course, helping our program exceed expectations in our first year of CUSA action. Juliana's strength through adversity and live to serve lifestyle had a tremendous impact on our program and will be carried on by the Gamecock cross country family for years to come."
2023 Fall Spirit of Service Award Recipients
Deborah Bien-Aime, FIU Women's Soccer, Jr.
Juliana Ballew, Jax State Women's Cross Country, Sr.
Quinton Cooley, Liberty Football, Jr.
Rebecca Quebedaux, LA Tech Women's Cross Country, Jr.
Sascha Nielson, MTSU Women's Soccer, Jr.
Diego Pavia, NM State Football, Jr.
Alyssa Sianez, UTEP Volleyball, Sr.
Annah Hopkins, WKU Women's Soccer, Sr.
