Nine named Academic All-OAC in Women's Track & Field
By Ashley Birchmeier
ADA — Nine Ohio Northern student/athletes were named Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference in women's track and field for 2015-16.
Seniors Sarah Ballmer, Margaret Sorg, juniors Nicole Huber, Elizabeth Martin, Meagan Ellinger, Rebecca Carman, and sophomores Emily Richards, Margaret Kimmel, and Carmen Angus all recieved the honor.
The award winners must be a sophomore or higher in class standing, maintain varsity status and have a cumulative grade-point-average of at least 3.50.
Ballmer, a pharmacy major, competed in the pole vault this past season for ONU.
The Wauseon native cleared a season best height of 11 feet 11.75 inches at the All-Ohio Championships. She claimed a third place finish, earning All-OAC honors at the OAC Outdoor Championships.
Sorg led the Polar Bears in the steeplechase last season running a season best time of 12:06.21 at the Muskie Duals.
The accounting major finished 11th in the event at the OAC Outdoor Championships.
Huber, a biology major, competed in the 800-meter run and the 4x800-meter relay for Northern.
She was a member of the 4x800-meter relay team that won the OAC Outdoor Championships and a member of the team that currently holds the school record in the event.
Martin, a member of the cross country team, competed in the mid distance events for ONU.
The exercise physiology major competed primarily in the 800-meter run and 1,000-meter run. During the indoor season, Martin recorded a season best time of 3:23.28 in the 1,00-meter run at the Rick Meindl Last Call meet.
Ellinger claimed two top five finishes at the OAC Outdoor Championships, garnering All-OAC honors in the 4x100-meter relay.
The pharmacy major, finished 4th in the 400-meter dash at the OAC Outdoor Championships and claimed three top five finishes during the Indoor Championships.
Carman posted a strong 2015-16 campaign claiming two top ten finishes at the OAC Outdoor Championships.
The graphic design major finished fifth in the 100-hurdles in 5.95 and claimed a eighth place finish in the long jump with a leap of 5.28 meters. She also garnered two top ten finishes at the OAC Indoor Championships.
Richards, a biochemistry major, broke five school records this past season to lead the Polar Bears.
The Delaware native earned All-American honors in the 800-meter run during the indoor season, before qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Nationals in the 800-meter run and the 400-meter run. She currently holds the fastest time in the country in the 800-meter run in 2:05.54.
The sophomore was named the OAC Outstanding Distance Runner of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Kimmel, a political science major from Kenton earns her first Academic All-OAC accolade.
Angus competed primarily in the 100-meter dash for the Polar Bears last season.
The business management major garnered her first Academic All-OAC honor.
The Polar Bears claimed a second place finish at the OAC Outdoor Championships and a third place finish at the OAC Indoor Championships under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Jason Maus.