FULL USTFCCCA RELEASE

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Otterbein University senior Chase Hampton has continued making headlines throughout his standout 2019 fall season, this time earning USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year honors in men's cross country. The U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced all special-award winners at the regional level Tuesday afternoon.

Hampton (Hilliard/Darby) receives the nod fresh off his victory in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet this past weekend in Michigan, where he bested the field of 255 competitors to become just the fourth runner in Otterbein history to win the race.

He covered the course in freezing Grand Rapids with a time of 24:02, delivering a late kick to pull away from a pair of Calvin runners over the last 400 meters. His efforts helped Otterbein claim runner-up honors for a second-straight year, thus securing an automatic qualifier spot into the upcoming NCAA Championships.

Hampton has four victories this year and has not finish outside of the top-six in any race. He won the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships by six seconds and the Division III All-Ohio race by a full 13 seconds.

The Cardinals will now head back to the NCAA's after making their first appearance in over two decades last year. This time around, the meet will be held at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. Race time is scheduled for 10:45 a.m.