Troy Runner Earns Sun Belt Scholarship for Grad School
Makenna Calbert, who led Troy's cross country team through five meets this fall, just won a prestigious Sun Belt scholarship to pursue her master's degree in nutrition. The four-year athlete will study dietitian education at UAB this fall.
Four years of early mornings and grueling workouts just paid off in a big way for one Troy University runner.
Makenna Calbert earned one of just eight Sun Belt Postgraduate Scholarships announced this week. The Woodstock, Georgia native dominated Troy's cross country season this fall, finishing as the team's top runner in all five meets and placing fourth at the Azalea City Classic.
The scholarship goes directly to her graduate school of choice. Calbert will use it to pursue a master's degree in dietitian education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham starting this fall.
Her athletic career showcased impressive range. On the track, Calbert competed in five different distance events including the 800m, 1500m, mile, 3000m, and 5000m. She graduated this spring with a degree in nutrition, blending her passion for athletics with her academic focus on health.
The Sun Belt Conference doesn't hand these awards out lightly. Recipients must have competed as varsity letter winners for at least two seasons and maintained a minimum 3.3 GPA. A committee of Faculty Athletic Representatives from across the conference reviews every application.
Why This Inspires
Calbert represents something college sports gets right. She balanced the demands of competing at the Division I level while excelling in a rigorous nutrition program. Now she's taking that same discipline into a field where she can help others optimize their health and performance.
The scholarship program recognizes that student athletes often develop qualities that serve them far beyond their playing days. Time management, resilience, and goal setting become lifelong tools.
Only eight athletes across the entire Sun Belt Conference received this honor in 2026. Calbert stood out among hundreds of eligible candidates who also balanced athletics and academics at member schools spanning from Georgia to Texas.
Her next chapter combines everything she's learned: the science of nutrition, the discipline of athletics, and a clear mission to help others fuel their bodies properly. One dedicated runner just turned years of hard work into an opportunity to make a lasting difference.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Scholarship Awarded
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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