By Ashley Birchmeier

Two ONU sophomores were name Great Lakes Region athletes of the year on Wednesday. The two are Matt Molinaro and Emily Richards.

Matt Molinaro

Sophomore Matt Molinaro was named the Great Lakes Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year.

The sophomore is currently ranked seventh nationally in the 800-meter with a record breaking time of 1:52.64, breaking the previous record of 1:53.50 set at the All-Ohio meet by former Polar Bear Jimmy O'Brien.

Molinaro also won the 800-meter run at the Ohio Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, where he was named the OAC Distance Runner of the Year.

He will compete in the 2016 Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday at 4:05 pm (ET) located in Grinnell, Iowa, running the 800-meter run.

Emily Richards

Sophomore Emily Richards was named the Great Lakes Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year.

Richards is currently ranked first nationally in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.67.

She is also ranked 13th nationally in the 400-meter run with a time of :57.38.

The sophomore completed the feat of becoming the first female track athlete in Ohio Athletic Conference history to win both the 400-meter run and 800-meter run at the same Championship.

For her efforts during the indoor season, Richards was named the OAC Sprinter of the Year.

The sophomore will be making her second appearance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, competing in the 800-meter run Friday at 4:20 pm (ET) in Grinnell, Iowa.