Williamsburg, KY – Patriots wrestler Jesse Kirby and racewalker Carson Johnson have been selected as the December Athletes of the Month presented by Appalachian Wireless, the athletic department announced Tuesday. The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department in conjunction with their corporate partner Appalachian Wireless are presenting the "Appalachian Wireless Athletes of the Month", which will be award to one male and one female student-athlete each month.
 
Kirby was named the female athlete of the month honors after posting an unblemished 13-0 record with 11 falls on the month.  She finished the month scoring 65 points for the Patriots, which is the most points possible as her other two wins came via forfeit.  Kirby was dominant on the mat beginning with the Patriots Duals, where she went 7-0 with five falls as part of the Patriots (Red Team).  The Culpeper, VA native  opened the tournament with a fall in 56 seconds over third-ranked Cristina Santoyo to help UC knockoff fifth-ranked Emmanuel.  Kirby added two more falls on the day and two forfeit wins to improve to 5-0 on day one of competition. She added a pair of falls on day two of the event, including a fall over Journey Bass of Limestone to clinch the match for UC.  Kirby followed that up at the Warriors Open, where she went 6-0 with six falls and total mat time of 8:03.  At the tournament the junior defeated three wrestlers ranked in top-20, including tenth-ranked Catherine Palmieri of Life.  Kirby's performance earned her MSC Wrestler of the Week honors in consecutive weeks, making her the first wrestler in the MSC to do that, and the top-ranking at the 191 lbs. class in the NAIA.
 
Johnson earned the male athlete of the month honors after shattering the Patriots school record twice and clipping the NAIA "A" standard.  The junior opened his indoor track season by winning the 3,000 meter racewalk at the Rams Winter Challenge.  Johnson crossed the line in 13:26.57, which was a career-best by over 15 seconds, and set a new school record.  That time also clipped the NAIA "A" standard 14:18.00 by 44 seconds.  The Bowling Green, KY native followed that up at the Strive for Greatness Indoor Meet a week later, where he improved on his career-best and school record performance.  Johnson clocked a 13:18.55, which was an eight second improvement as he placed second in the event.  Johnson earned consecutive MSC Runner of the Week honors and is currently ranked second in the NAIA in the 3,000 racewalk.
 
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