Women's Cross Country receives 14th straight USTFCCCA All-Academic award; Whitmore, Wright claim individual honors

By Blake Moore

ADA — The Ohio Northern women's cross country program has secured its 14th consecutive United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic accolade for their classroom performance during the 2018 season, the national office announced Thursday.

To be considered for the award, teams must post a 3.10 cumulative grade point average or higher on a 4.0 grading scale and register a team score at an NCAA Division III regional competition.

This season, 178 men's and 215 women's cross country programs were recognized with the honor at the NCAA Division III level.

Meanwhile, sophomore Megan Wright (Eaton/Twin Valley South) and freshman Rue Whitmore (Mason) each garnered individual USTFCCCA All-Academic kudos for the first time in their careers.

For individual honors, an athlete must achieve a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average and finish in the top 25% of all competitors at their respective regional championship meet.

Wright finished among the team's top-seven finishers at all seven meets during the 2018 campaign and posted a career-best 23:27 clocking at the Great Lakes Region Championships. She also received Academic All-OAC honors during the season.

Meanwhile, Whitmore raced to All-Great Lakes Region and Second-Team All-OAC honors. She was the top finisher for Ohio Northern at five meets this season and clocked a season-best 22:58 at the regional championships.

The Polar Bears finished the 2018 campaign with a 94-30 overall record and took fifth at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships.