(AUSTINTOWN, OH)--Mount Union seniors Bryce Basista (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic) and Judd Lutz (Tiffin/Tiffin Columbian) along with junior Ty Griffin (Massillon/Massillon Perry) were all named Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference as selected by the conference's 10 faculty athletics representatives.
Basista is a three-time All-OAC cross country runner who finished eighth at the 2009 NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships then competed at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. He recently graduated with a 3.62 grade point average with a degree in accounting.
It is the second Academic All-OAC nod for Lutz, a two-time shot put and two-time discus All-American, who also earned the OAC's Clyde Lamb Award as Mount Union's top male scholar athlete. Lutz was also an Academic All-OAC football selection as the Purple Raiders' starting linebacker this season.
Griffin won both the 1500 meters and 5000 meters and was part of the third place 4x800 meter relay team on his was to OAC Distance Runner of the Meet at this past season's OAC Outdoor Championships. He also won the the national title in the 1500 meters at last year's NCAA Championships.
The award winners are selected by the OAC faculty athletic representatives. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.25 gpa, be a starter or key reserve and be in at least his second year of participation in the sport.
