Queens’ Carrillo, Anderson’s Herbert Named 2017 South Atlantic Conference Soccer Scholar-Athletes of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Queens' Juan Carlos Carrillo was named the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while Kristin Herbert of Anderson picked up the women's soccer honor, the League announced today.  The student-athletes earned the honor for their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports, and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee.

Carrillo, a senior biochemistry major, has achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA and has made the Dean's list in both years at Queens. Prior to joining the Queen's Men's Soccer team, Carrillo spent two seasons at Marshalltown Community College. During his junior and senior years, he received a medical redshirt after tearing his ACL prior to both seasons. As a graduate student this past year he started in 18 games, scoring two goals and notching four assists. His second goal on the season helped secure a 3-2 win over nationally-ranked Lander on Oct. 25. He helped the Royals advance to the SAC Tournament championship final match for the third time in five years. Carrillo was named to the 2017 SAC Men's Soccer All-Tournament team.

"Juan Carlos has been a great asset to our program, athletics and school," said Queens head men's soccer coach Oliver Carias. "He has surprised all of us with his hard work, dedication and determination. He transferred to Queens three seasons ago. Unfortunately he has done his ACL twice in two years here at Queens. However, he always had a great attitude to recover and come back to help our program. Watching him work hard during his recovery two years in a row inspired our team. Additionally, his academic work is impeccable and brilliant, our school is really proud of his work and how he has represented us in the community."

In the classroom, as a senior at Queens, he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team and earned Dean's List honors as a junior and senior. Carrillo earned the award for Best Poster Presentation for Cannon Summer Scholars with Carolinas Healthcare System Complete of 10 weeks of General Surgery Research.

In his junior year he volunteered as a coach of the Futbol Club Barcelona Escola for four months. He was part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and presented research poster of class work at ACS event. He worked for the Carolinas Healthcare System-Research for the General Surgery Department for six months his senior year.

During his senior year, the Board of Trustees of Queens invited him to show them the athletic facilities at Queens as a representative of student-athletes. He also served as a representative of Traditional Undergraduate Students of Queens for the "Yes, And" experience for the Board of Trustees of Queens.

Herbert, a senior Biochemistry major from Arlington, Va., finished her playing career with a 4.0 GPA. The 2017 South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Elite 20 award winner played in 13 matches while starting in 11 for the Trojans. She helped anchor the backline that helped produce six clean sheets and a second straight trip to the SAC Championship semifinals.

As a freshman she was named Anderson Women's Soccer Newcomer of the Year, a team award for being Most Valuable incoming player. A three time captain of the Trojans, she lead the team by setting a positive example on an off the field. Following the season, the senior captain was named CoSIDA Academic All-District in early November and CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team. She also was named to the NSCAA Senior College Scholar All-South Region Team for Division II.  

"Kristin is an exceptional student in the classroom," said Anderson Head Women's Soccer Coach, Julie Davis Carlson. "Her commitment to her academics is her top priority since her arrival to Anderson University. She has huge aspirations of medical school post grad and she looks to make significant medical impacts in remote areas of the world. She excels at every component in her life. She has been one of our best in every category within our program academically, athletically and as a captain." 

In the classroom, she has been named to the Anderson University Dean's List following every semester of her collegiate career. Herbert is also a four-year member of the Honors Program and a member of Gamma Beta Phi, a service-based honor society. As the VP of Gamma Beta Phi, she worked with other leaders to find volunteer opportunities and do managerial tasks to keep the club running. During her junior and senior years she earned D-II CoSIDA Academic Achievement Award for posting a GPA of 3.5 or higher for two years with participation in a championship sport.

Herbert has made a name for herself in her communities, as she logged 40 hours volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, where she helped in the off-season at ReStore, construction build sites and events. She registered 65 volunteer hours at Georgetown Hospital during the summer following her freshman year.

During her final three years at Anderson she served as a member of the Anderson University women's soccer leadership council where she would facilitate conversations between the coaches and her teammates. Each year at Anderson, with her teammates, she volunteered with Make-A-Wish, helped with local races and other sporting events, or fund-raising for charity organizations.

In the summer leading up to her senior year, she volunteered in Paraguay, where she lived in the country working with missionaries to build homes and churches. Also, during her spring breaks, she volunteered with Christian Ultimate Frisbee tournaments. This award is her first Scholar-Athlete honor.

Other Men's Soccer Nominees:
Ivan Andabak, Tusculum
Sercan Ciham, Lenoir-Rhyne
Damian Gaona, Wingate
Quincy Kroeschell, Newberry
Tom Read, Carson-Newman
Justin Walker, Coker

Other Women's Soccer Nominees:
Kaitlyn Fletcher, Wingate
Alana Jefferson, Queens
Abigael McGarel, Lenoir-Rhyne
Alyssa Ortega, Newberry
Trisha Thompson, Coker
Carlie Thornber, Tusculum
Lauren Wade, Carson-Newman

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