Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
(Written by Student Sports Information Assistant, Anna Fox)

Nov. 10, 2021 - As both men's and women's cross country wait for the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championship three Cardinals athletes received awards for their hard work this season. Max Svienty was the recipient of the Men's Cross Country Elite 25 Award while Jeff Glatz and Paige Runkle each received the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) RESPECT Award for the 2021 season. 

To be eligible for the Elite 25 Award, a student-athlete must be a sophomore, junior, or senior and in at least their second season of competition with their current team. Graduate students are not eligible. In cross country, the all-conference recipient with the highest GPA received the award. 

Svienty is a senior from Arlington Heights, Ill., and is studying mathematics. Throughout the year, Svienty worked hard to improve his times and stayed on top of his school work to hold the highest GPA at the conference championship. In that meet, he posted a season-best time of 25:21.0, shaving 28-seconds off of his previous best.

Glatz, a senior from Barrington, Ill., was awarded the RESPECT Award for the men's team and Runkle, a freshman from Prospect, Ill., was awarded the RESPECT Award on the women's side. The RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.

Men's and Women's Cross Country continue their seasons at NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championship on Nov. 13, hosted by Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. 

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