CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Twenty-four Mid-American Conference (MAC) student-athletes were selected as Medal of Excellence Award winners for the 2020-21 academic year. The Medal of Excellence is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 12 Conference member institutions.
“The individuals selected for the Medal of Excellence have distinguished themselves academically, athletically, and through demonstrated service and leadership, said MAC Commissioner, Jon A. Steinbrecher. “These men and women have earned this award by putting in long hours of dedication, perseverance and hard work. I congratulate those selected and thank them for their contributions to their institution and the Conference.”
To be honored with the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes had to participate on the varsity level in a Conference sponsored sport and shown evidence of academic success with a minimum 3.50 accumulative grade-point average, exhibited athletics excellence, leadership and service. Selection of the recipients was made by each MAC institution.
2021 Medal of Excellence Award Winners
Akron:
Loren Christian Jackson, Men's Basketball, Chicago, Ill. (Victory Rock Prep)
Taylor Sharrits, Volleyball, Concord, Ohio (Lake Catholic)
Ball State:
Chris Adams, Tennis, Port Huron, Mich. (Port Huron Northern)
Ivy McKee, Track and Field, Columbus, Ohio (Gahanna Lincoln)
Bowling Green:
Chris Sullivan, Men's Soccer, Naperville, Ill. (North/Illinois Galaxy)
Madison McCoy, Softball, Washington, Ill. (Washington)
Buffalo:
Jack Klenk, Football, Pittsford, N.Y. (Pittsford Sutherland)
Hanna Hall, Women’s Basketball, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Lincoln Prep)
Central Michigan:
Bernhard Raimann, Football, Steinbrunn, Austria (Delton-Kellogg)
Brianna Hart, Lacrosse, South Bend, Ind. (Saint Joseph)
Eastern Michigan:
Michael Monahan, Baseball, Saline, Mich. (Saline)
Graysen Simmons, Track and Field, Huber Heights, Ohio (Wayne)
Kent State:
Ben Carew, Baseball, Appleton, Wisc. (Kimberly)
Kennadie Goth, Softball, Shelby, Ohio (Shelby)
Miami:
Sean Torpy, Cross Country/Track and Field, Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg)
Abigail Huser, Volleyball, Westfield, Ind. (Westfield)
Northern Illinois:
Mason Kauffman, Wrestling, Stratford, Wis. (Stratford)
Zoie Schroeder, Gymnastics, Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park)
Ohio:
Ben Vander Plas, Men’s Basketball, Ripon, Wis. (Ripon)
Ashleigh Kitrell, Track and Field, Oakland, Neb. (Oakland Craig Senior)
Toledo:
Chris Meyers, Baseball, Miamisburg, Ohio (Miamisburg)
Emma Sampson, Swimming & Diving, Mount Sterling, Ohio (Madison-Plains)
Western Michigan:
Jannik Opitz, Tennis, Hildesheim, Germany (Josephinum Hildesheim)
Rachel Bontrager, Volleyball, Valparaiso, Ind. (Valparaiso)
