Ohio Northern University has two Division III NCAA track and field All-Americans - and they are both sophomore.
Emily Richards
Ohio Northern sophomore Emily Richards earned All-America honors in the 800-meter run on the second and final day of the NCAA Division III Women's Indoor track & Field Championships on Saturday afternoon at the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center.
Richards came from the back of the pack with 300 meters to go, but was unable to overtake the race winner and was nipped at the tape for third place, finishing in 2:12.00.
Ohio Northern junior Allie Gast and sophomores Matt Molinaro and Emily Richards had solid runs on the first day of the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Indoor track & Field Championships on Friday afternoon at the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center.
Gast entered the meet seeded 17th of 17 runners in the 60 hurdles and finished 15th overall. She ran at :08.97 in her preliminary heat, which was just .05 of a second off her career-best time in the event.
Molinaro rallied on the home stretch for a second place finish in his heat, finishing in 1:54.58. He will be seeded third in the finals on Saturday at 3:45 pm (CST).
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.
The Icon is now posting Ada High School and Ohio Northern University spring sports events scheduled in March.
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Please be patient: We are still working on April and May.
Several athletes are scattered among the equipment located in the middle of the ONU Sports Center on Saturday afternoon. ONU hosted a Last Chance for track and field athletes to qualify for nationals.
Some terrific athletes from many schools in all divisions were on hand to better their scores or times to qualify for the all-important national competition. (Monty Siekerman photo)
Jon Robey, Ada High School grad, is a member of the Olivet Nazarene University men's swim team that won the NAIA national swim meet held this past weekend.
Robey, a sophomore, completed in the 200-yard free relay and the 100-yard fly. The Olivet men's team won the national title for the first time ever. The Olivet women's team was runner-up in the women's division.
