Both were selected for their outstanding dedication to educational organizations in Alachua County.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jessica Edwards and Rios Prude Jr. have been selected by the Southeastern Conference to the 2025 SEC Track and Field/Cross Country Community Service Team, honoring them for their dedication to service in the Gainesville area.
The conference names a Community Service Team for each of its 22 league-sponsored sports, looking to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his community through superior service efforts.
Jessica Edwards, Senior, Mid-distance
Edwards volunteered for a team-leading 140 hours, mainly with Balance 180, an organization in Gainesville dedicated to creating recreational and competitive gymnastics opportunities for all children regardless of their ability or financial need. The organization’s mission is to create a positive environment for children to build confidence and stay active through the sport of gymnastics. Edwards volunteered with the adaptive gymnastics program, aimed at helping gymnasts age 3-16 with physical or intellectual challenges learn foundational motor skills through gymnastics.
In addition to her work with Balance 180, Edwards has also volunteered with Lake Forest Elementary School and Oak Hall School in Gainesville, as well as UF Health Shands hospital on UF’s campus.
Rios Prude Jr., Sophomore, Sprints
Prude is a consistent volunteer at the Caring and Sharing Learning School, a Charter school aimed at serving underprivileged PK-5th grade students in Alachua County. He served as a classroom assistant, providing help to teachers in executing lesson plans and classroom activities.
Prude, an Education Sciences major, has a passion for early childhood education, and has dedicated himself to using what he learns in his classes at the University of Florida to help the children of Alachua County. He has also volunteered at both Williams and Rawlings Elementary schools, participated in beach clean-ups in Tampa Bay and volunteered for a number of sports organizations in Gainesville.
2025 SEC Track and Field/Cross Country Community Service Team
Dylan Wood, Alabama
Tristan Barr, Alabama
Fuji Anday, Auburn
Hannah Thuss, Auburn
Rios Prude Jr., Florida
Jessica Edwards, Florida
Jackson Watts, Kentucky
Phoebe McCowan, Kentucky
Jevan Parara, LSU
Svenya Stoyanoff, LSU
Iangelo Atkinstall-Daley, Ole Miss
Dieusi Armand, Ole Miss
Brooklyn Quanz, Mississippi State
Tarique George, Missouri
Brooke Sawatzky, Missouri
Kailynn Jackson, Oklahoma
Canaan Anderson, Tennessee
Callie Tucker, Tennessee
Logan Patete, Texas
Brighton Mooney, Texas
Carter Bajoit, Texas A&M
Heather Abadie, Texas A&M
Jackson Scruggs, Vanderbilt
Lena Gooden, Vanderbilt
