Seniors Matt Molinaro and Emily Richards named USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Male and Female Track Athletes of the Year

March 7, 2018

By Caleb Scott

ADA — For the second time in their respective careers, seniors Matt Molinaro (Sterling Heights, Mich./DeLaSalle) and Emily Richards (Delaware/Hayes) swept the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Great Lakes Region Men's and Women's Track Athlete of the Year awards.

The duo both earned the honor during the 2016 indoor season and are the only pair of Great Lakes Region teammates to earn the honor in the same season since it began in 2006. They are also the only pair of teammates to earn the honor on two occasions during the same season.

Molinaro is now a 2-time recipient of the honor after being named the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Indoor Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2016.

The senior enters this weekend's 2018 NCAA Indoor Div. III Championships owning the fastest time in the 800-meter run (1:50.23), a mark which ranks ninth-best in Div. III history.

Richards is now a 3-time recipient of the award, claiming the honor for the third consecutive season.

A 5-time NCAA Champion and 7-time All-American, she owns the fastest time in Div. III history and current fastest time in the country in the 800-meter run (2:05.28) and has the fastest time nationally in the 1-mile run, and 3,000-meter run entering this weekend's national championships.

Richards also anchors Northern's 4x400-meter relay team which will compete at the 2018 NCAA Div. III Championships in Birmingham, Ala. this weekend.

Last summer, she finished eighth at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 800 and had the 28th fastest time in the world in the event with a 2:00.62 clocking.