Gingerich, O'Grady Earn Academic Honor

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Megan Gingerich and Erin O’Grady were both named to the ESPN the Magazine cross country/track and field Academic All-District V second team on Thursday afternoon as the team was released by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-America teams are the recognized academic awards of the NCAA.

Gingerich, a junior from Arcola, Ill., recently placed 16th in the NCAA West Regional in the 800m. Gingerich set the school record in the 800m with a season-best time of 2:06.46 at the Indiana Billy Hayes Invite. She was a first-team All-OVC selection running the 800m and as a member of the 4x400 relay team. She was named the OVC Female Track Athlete of the Year for the outdoor season. Gingerich holds a 3.83 GPA in communication disorders.

O’Grady, a senior from Arlington Heights, Ill., recently finished her collegiate career with a 35th place showing in the steeplechase at the NCAA West Regional. O’Grady had earned the final spot in the regional field with a school record mark of 10:44.45 at the Louisville Twilight. She was a multiple All-OVC honoree including a first-team selection in cross country this season. O’Grady graduated with a 3.80 GPA in Spanish and was named the EIU Senior Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.