CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) named its Academic All-District Team members for the 2021-22 calendar year and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's and women’s running programs were recognized. The women earned three spots and the men got one nod.
The 2021-22 Academic All-District Women's Track & Field / Cross Country Team, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the competition realm and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Morgan Forney, Ellie Ruby, and Macy Weaver were each named to the NAIA District 1 Team after strong seasons for MVNU. Forney, who ran cross country and track, was a national qualifier for the cross country team in the fall. The art major from Marysville, Ohio finished the academic year with a 3.74 GPA.
Ruby had a standout season on the track before an injury cut her season short. Ruby qualified for indoor nationals in the long jump and 60 meter hurdles. Along with her on the track accolades, Ruby also received the MVNU Foster Award for displaying great character. The senior from Wheelersburg, Ohio graduated with a degree in Communications Sciences & Disorders. Ruby had a 3.84 GPA.
Weaver had a superb year for MVNU cross county and the track team. Weaver was a cross country national qualifier in the fall and qualified for outdoor track nationals in the half marathon. Weaver ended the half marathon as the national runner-up and became the first woman in program history with two All-American honors. Weaver graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a 3.35 GPA.
On the men’s side, with the dame criteria, after a strong season for the running programs at MVNU, Colin Gaines landed himself a spot on the NAIA District 1 Team. Gaines qualified for indoor track nationals in the 4x800 meter relay. Gaines was a part of the 4x800 meter relay team that set a school record, and he also holds the school record in the 1K.
Along with his talents on the track, Gaines received the MVNU Foster Award for his character off of it. Gaines graduated with a degree in marketing and a 3.88 GPA.
