Feb. 12, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman Heather Merritt and senior Cole Miller have been named to the 2015 SEC Swimming and Diving Community Service Teams, as announced by the league on Thursday.

Merritt earned her spot on the women’s community service team after accumulating 131.5 hours of community. She participated in the Tunnels to Towers 5K Run and Walk, helping with check in, passing out water and helping with after party. Merritt was a part of EdVenture: Eddie’s Block Party, where she ran different stations including check-in, inflatable, snacks and games. With the Walk to Cure Diabetes, she helped with event set up, unloading t-shirts and distributing food and drinks. Merritt took a mission trip where she spent one week in Belize volunteering at a local vacation bible school and interacting with local children.

Miller has volunteered for several community service projects thorough out his Gamecock career. He participated in the Relay for Life, a walk to benefit the American Cancer Society, and the Walk for a Cure, where he helped set up for the charity walk to raise money for diabetes. Miller collected and shopped for donations for an adopted family during the holidays as a part of Adopt-a-Family, and taught water safety classes for parents and children for Safe Kids. At the Tunnels to Towers 5K Run and Walk, he helped with check-in, passed out water and assisted with the after party. At Transitions, an organization that works to move people from homelessness to permanent housing, Miller prepared and served dinner, and cleaned the kitchen. He interacted with students and danced at the Dance Marathon and collected cans for the SEC Canned Food Drive.

The SEC sponsors Community Service Teams for all league-sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his or her community in superior service efforts.