Richards leads trio of Polar Bears at Grand Valley State (Mich.) Big Meet

By Caleb Scott

ADA — Junior Emily Richards (Delaware/Hayes) led a trio of Ohio Northern athletes as they competed at the Grand Valley State (Mich.) Big Meet on Friday.

Richards posted the sixth fastest time in Div. III history in the 1-mile run and finished second overall and was the first collegiate athlete to cross the finish line in a race that featured schools from Div. I, II and III. 

Richards finished second overall in 4:47.26 in the meet and also shattered the previous Ohio Northern school record held by former Polar Bear Alison Steinbrunner by over 11 seconds.

The junior currently owns the fastest time in the country in both the mile and the 800-meter run.

"This was a fantastic race for Emily," said head coach Jason Maus. "She had a great strategy going into the race and executed well. For her first time ever running the mile she ran great."

Junior Matt Molinaro (Sterling Heights, Mich./DeLaSalle) also ran at the meet for the Polar Bears.

Molinaro finished fifth overall in the event and first among Div. III schools in 1:51.03.

His time currently ranks second in the nation in the event and is an indoor personal record.

"This race was a very big improvement for Matt," said Maus. "He got a little towards the back of the pack but closed extremely well. That is kind of his style and he really executed in the race."

Senior Kase Schalois (Van Wert) also competed in the meet and finished the 5,000-meter run in a career-fastest time of 14:59.87.

His time was just over a second away from breaking the ONU school record held by former Polar Bear Nate Rosenbaum.

"This was a great PR for Kase," said Maus. "He ran a very tactical race. Kase is very close to having a huge race."

The Polar Bears are set to compete in the All-Ohio Championships tomorrow afternoon in Westerville.