Williamsburg, KY – After playing pivotal roles for their respective teams, Patriots archer Madison Cox and safety Damon Byrnes-Mitchell have been selected as the October Athletes of the Month presented by The Brick Oven, the athletic department announced Friday. The University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department in conjunction with their corporate partner The Brick Oven are presenting the "The Brick Oven Athletes of the Month", which will be awarded to the top two student-athletes each month.

Cox earned athlete of the month honors after capturing three national titles and scoring in four events during the USA 3D National Championship.  The McKee, KY native opened the championships leading wire-to-wire en route to finishing atop the podium in the women's fixed pin division.  Cox tallied a 450 with 13-12's over the two days to notch her sixth career individual national title and her fourth straight gold medal.  Cox has now reached the podium in all nine of the national championships that she has competed tying her with Courtnie Carr for the most podium finishes in Cumberlands history. Cox's performance also ranks her third in program history for 3D as she now holds six of the top ten marks. The senior teamed with Kaitlyn Shields and Ela Smallacombe to capture gold in the women's fixed pins team rounds.  The trio went 3-0 and cruised through their first two matches before knocking off Pikeville 88-71 in the finals.  Cox earned her third national title teaming up with Jaden Taylor to finish atop the podium in the mixed team division.  Her performance aided the Patriots in winning their fifth straight team national championship.

Byrnes-Mitchell was named athlete of the month after compiling a team-high 37 tackles, four pass break-ups, and three blocks on the month.  The sophomore opened the month with five tackles and a pass break-up against Cumberland.  Midway through the first quarter, Byrnes-Mitchell came unblocked off the right side of the line and blocked the punt, which was recovered and returned for a Patriots touchdown putting UC in front 7-0.  That pivotal was one of three Patriots blocks in the game and helped UC to a 10-6 win over the Phoenix.  The Clearwater, FL native followed that up a week later with his second blocked punt of the season, this one came against #8 Bethel and put Cumberlands up 7-0.  Against Pikeville, Byrnes-Mitchell notched a career-high 11 tackles along with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and block.  In the third quarter with UPike driving Byrnes-Mitchell tracked down Bralin Barton and forced a fumble and recovered it to give the possession back to UC.  Later in the game as the Bears were attempting the go-ahead field the sophomore was able to get his hand on it and block the kick.  Byrnes-Mitchell closed out the month with a career-high 19 tackles, 16 solo tackles to help Cumberlands knock off #11 Georgetown.  The 19 tackles are the most by a Patriot player in at least the last six seasons.

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