WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College Department of Athletics selected a pair of track & field standouts, Maria Gilles (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Lake Ridge Academy) and Julian Paul (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour), as its Washington Health System Student-Athletes of the Month for January 2024. 

Each month's award winners are selected by a panel of athletic department staff, student life staff and faculty.

Gilles has compiled a 3.79 cumulative grade-point average throughout her first two years at W&J. A two-year member of the program, Gilles put together a winning time of 11:11.21 in the 3000 Meters at the Mount Union Jim Wuske Invitational on Jan. 27. Gilles has recorded career best times in three events this indoor season. She recorded her personal-best time in the 800 at the SPIRE Indoor Games on Feb. 10 and her best time in the 1000 at Mount Union as well on Jan. 27. During the fall season, Gilles finished 17th to earn All-PAC Honorable Mention at the 2023 PAC Cross Country Championships. Academically, Gilles has earned a spot on the PAC Academic Honor Roll in each of her first three semesters. 

Paul has put together a 3.78 cumulative grade-point average while majoring in Computing & Information Studies. A three-year member of the team, Paul has excelled for the Presidents in competition and in the classroom. Paul was selected as Indoor Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 16. Paul is a three-time All-PAC honoree in Cross Country. He finished 11th this past fall to earn All-PAC Second Team. Paul is a multi-time member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll.