Daytona State’s Francesca Azzollini Named Region 8 Larry Monts Award Winner for Women’s Cross Country

Daytona State College women's cross country runner, Francesca Azzollini is Larry Monts Award recipient for the 2024 season, recognizing her exceptional achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service.

A sophomore from Winter Park High School, Francesca was primarily a soccer player and spent two years at St Leo University on the soccer team before transferring to Daytona State College in the fall of 2023.  Injuries sidelined her soccer goals, so she put the ball aside and ran herself into the top seven for the women's cross country team at Daytona State as a freshman. She earned her associate's degree after her first year at Daytona State then proceeded to work towards a bachelor's in Supervision and Management while completing her athletic eligibility. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA during the 2024-25 academic year and has posted a 3.97 GPA at Daytona State. As the Falcons' No. 2 runner, she placed ninth at the 2024 FCSAA Championships, helping Daytona State to a DII runner-up team finish. Aside from workinga part time job, her volunteer work ranges from helping at community road races to tutoring other DSC students to serving as a host for prospective student-athletes who visit the College.

"As a former soccer player, Francesca quickly learned how to handle a new sport and balance it with her academics. She thrived in the classroom, holding herself to a higher standard. Always with a positive outlook, Francesca developed into one of our strongest runners even though she had little experience, a testament to her strength and tenacity." - Judy Wilson, Head Women's Cross Country Coach, Daytona State College

Larry Monts was a coach and professor at the former Florida Community College at Jacksonville, now Florida State College at Jacksonville, from 1967 to 2001. He coached both men's and women's cross country and track & field, led FCCJ to two cross country national championships and coached 43 NJCAA All-Americans.