Ohio's Kitrell, Vander Plas Honored by MAC with Medal of Excellence Award Recognition
6/7/2021 12:00:00 AM | General
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CLEVELAND -- Senior Ashleigh Kitrell (Oakland, Neb.) of the Ohio track and field team and redshirt junior Ben Vander Plas (Ripon, Wis.) of the Ohio men's basketball team were named as Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence Award winners for the 2020-21 academic year, the league announced Monday afternoon.
"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."
Kitrell earned her master's degree in recreation and sport pedagogy this May and will begin teaching foods and nutrition at Papillion LaVista South High School in Papillion, Neb., this fall. Kitrell also earned her undergraduate degree in human and consumer sciences/family and consumer sciences at Ohio. She is an Academic All-MAC selection and this past season was named to the Outdoor Track and Field All-MAC First Team.
Kitrell finished her career at Ohio as one of the best hurdlers in Ohio history. Earlier this season, Kitrell broke the school record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.13. Then in May, Kitrell became Ohio's third MAC outdoor 400-meter hurdles champion in program history and the first since 1993 with a time of 58.63. Kitrell also finished 19th overall in the 400-meter hurdle quarterfinals at the NCAA East Region Preliminary rounds in late May.
This is the second-straight year that Vander Plas has earned the MAC Medal of Excellence Award. In May, Vander Plas earned his Master of Sport Administration with a 4.0 GPA and currently working toward his Master of Science in Management. Earlier this month, Vander Plas was named to the 2020-21 Academic All-America® Division I men's basketball team selected CoSIDA, becoming the first Bobcat since 1990 to earn the honor. Vander Plas is a two-time Academic All-District® Men's Basketball Team selection.
This season, Vander Plas helped lead the Bobcats back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012 and led Ohio to a first round upset of No. 4 Virginia. Vander Plas finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game. He also averaged 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 76.4 percent from the free throw line. Vander Plas was named to the All-MAC Third Team and to the MAC All-Tournament Team this postseason. He also earned a spot on the Academic All-MAC Team.
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); Taylor Sharrits (Volleyball
Ball State: Chris Adams (Tennis); Ivy McKee (Track and Field)
Bowling Green: Chris Sullivan (Men's Soccer); Madison McCoy (Softball)
Buffalo: Jack Klenk (Football); Hanna Hall (Women's Basketball)
Central Michigan: Bernhard Raimann (Football); Brianna Hart (Lacrosse)
Eastern Michigan: Michael Monahan (Baseball); Graysen Simmons (Track and Field)
Kent State: Ben Carew (Baseball); Kennadie Goth (Softball)
Miami: Sean Torpy (Cross Country/Track and Field); Abigail Huser (Volleyball)
Northern Illinois: Mason Kauffman (Wrestling); Zoie Schroeder (Gymnastics)
Ohio: Ben Vander Plas (Men's Basketball); Ashleigh Kitrell (Track and Field)
Toledo: Chris Meyers (Baseball); Emma Sampson (Swimming & Diving)
Western Michigan: Jannik Opitz (Tennis); Rachel Bontrager (Volleyball)
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