CANTON, Ga. – Mount Union's track and cross country athlete Mary Mason (Alliance / Marlington) has been named the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Region VII Student-Athlete of the Year Wednesday afternoon.
 
The D3CA announced the 20 outstanding student-athletes selected as the 2024-25 Regional Student-Athlete of the Year winners. These prestigious awards, now in their third year, recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers.
 
Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, serves as the presenting sponsor of these awards.
 
"Chi Alpha Sigma is honored to partner with the D3CA in recognizing these incredible student-athletes," said Kellen Wells-Mangold, Executive Director of Chi Alpha Sigma. "Our mission to celebrate excellence in both academics and athletics perfectly aligns with this initiative. These recipients exemplify the highest ideals of collegiate athletics and leadership."
 
Each regional winner now advances to the national ballot for the D3CA Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year and D3CA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year awards, which will be announced next month.
 
Mason was named the Elite 90 Award winner for this past season's outdoor track and field competition. She picked up two All-American honors this season finishing seventh in the 800-Meters at the indoor national meet and then was on the 4x400-Meter Relay that took fourth at the outdoor national meet.
 
Mason was the Mount Union women's recipient of the Clyde Lamb award while also earning CSC Academic All-American second team honors. She also won three OAC outdoor track and field titles (800, 4x400 and 4x800) and two OAC indoor track and field titles (800 and 4x400).
 
Award Selection & Criteria
Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for nomination. Each conference was permitted to submit up to two nominees for each gendered award, provided at least one was an international student or from an ethnic minority background. Selection was based on four key areas:
•             Academic Achievement
•             Athletic Excellence
•             Service and Leadership
•             Personal Statement
Voting took place among commissioners within each of the 10 Division III regions. The top male and female honoree in each region will be considered for the two national awards.