By TTU Athletics & OVC Media Relations
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The 2022-23 academic year marked the 75th anniversary of the Ohio Valley Conference, which began in 1948 and currently ranks as the eighth-oldest Division I Conference.
As part of the celebration of the storied accomplishments of the League, a Committee working in conjunction with current and former schools, captured the "best-of-the-best" in each sport and celebrate the top athletes in league history with 75th Anniversary Teams across all OVC sports. A similar listing was compiled during the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the league.
Below is a listing of the top men's and women's cross country student-athletes and coaches in OVC history.
Tennessee Tech had one representative on the women's cross country list in former Golden Eagle great Stephanie Place.
Men's Cross Country
Jason Bialka, Eastern Illinois (1998-2001)
Soufiane Bouchikhi, Eastern Kentucky (2010-13)
Grant Colehour, Eastern Kentucky (1965-69)
Neil Cusack, East Tennessee (1971-74)
Larry Cuzzort, Western Kentucky (1977-80)
Ron Duncan, Morehead State (2006-09)
Ray Flynn, East Tennessee (1975-79)
Dustin Hatfield, Eastern Illinois (2018-22)
Jacob Korir, Eastern Kentucky (2004-07)
Jim Krejci, Murray State (1970-71)
Eddie Leddy, East Tennessee ( 1971-74)
Ben Naeger, Belmont (2019-21)
John Nganga, Eastern Kentucky (1994-97)
Kyle O'Brien, Eastern Illinois (2001-03)
Hector Ortiz, Western Kentucky (1968-71)
Chris Ridler, Western Kentucky (1973-76)
Nick Rose, Western Kentucky (1972-76)
Erick Rotich, Eastern Kentucky (2015-18)
Ken Silvious, Eastern Kentucky (1967-71)
Sam Torres, Murray State (1973-74)
Women's Cross Country
Ann Asipan, UT Martin (2015-16)
Lauren Blankenship, Samford (2003-07)
Amy Clements, Eastern Kentucky (1991-95)
Ann Eason, Eastern Kentucky (2011-14)
Nina Funderburk, Murray State (1985-88)
Paula Gaston, Eastern Kentucky (1976-80)
Charlotte Imer, Eastern Kentucky (2015-17)
Jamie King, Eastern Kentucky (1994-98)
Olivia Klaus, Eastern Illinois (2009-12)
Lydia Kosgei, Eastern Kentucky (2009-12)
Allison Kotouch, Eastern Kentucky (1985-88)
Lisa Malloy, Eastern Kentucky (1986-90)
Katherine Pagano, Eastern Kentucky (2007-10)
Stephanie Place, Tennessee Tech (2005-09)
Pam Raglin, Eastern Kentucky ( 1984-87)
Sue Schaeffer, Eastern Kentucky (1977-81)
Christine Snow, Eastern Kentucky (1984-87)
Hannah Wittman, Belmont (2012-15)
Sunshine Wilson, Eastern Kentucky (1992-96)
Coaches of Note
Rick Erdmann, Eastern Kentucky
Erin Howarth, Eastern Illinois
John McInerney, Eastern Illinois
Margaret Simmons, Murray State
