2011 Men's Cross Country

HENDERSON, Tenn. - This fall, Freed-Hardeman University will get two athletes in the form of one.

Colby Phillips, a native of Athens, Ala., recently signed to be a part of both the cross country and soccer programs at FHU.  He will be the school's first two-sport athlete since Brittany Johnson played both volleyball and softball in 2006-07.

Phillips prepped at Athens Bible School where he was a three-sport standout.  He was a three-time all-state selection in cross country and won the sectional meet in 2007 and again in 2008.  Phillips was named a Decatur Daily All-Area Runner in 2007 and took the paper's runner of the year honor in 2008.  He was also placed on the Huntsville Times Cross Country Elite Team in 2008 and was ranked in the top 25 in the state of Alabama after winning five events and finishing in the top five in 15 events.

On the soccer field, Phillips was a second-team all-state selection as a senior.  He was also named to the all-area team as a junior and was his team's defensive MVP for three seasons.

Phillips also excelled in mid- and long-distance running in track, winning the 2009 Class 1A state championship in the 800, 1600, and 3200 meter races.

He is the first signing for cross country head coach Lain Hinson and the resurrected program at Freed-Hardeman University.

"We are extremely excited to have signed Colby to run cross country at FHU," he said. "His awards and honors speak for themselves in regards to his ability but even more important is his character and demeanor away from athletics. We are thrilled to have him at FHU and we look forward to watching him compete at a high level for the next four years."

Phillips, who plans to major in Bible and History, is the son of Barry and Felicia Phillips of Athens, Ala.