Heys earns WC’s first OAC Runner of the Year honor

Wilmington College Quakers senior men's cross-country runner Simon Heys wrapped up his historic season Friday morning, being named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Runner of the Year.

Heys is the first runner in program history to be named the conference runner of the year. This adds on to his First Team All-OAC, USTFCCCA All Great Lakes Region, USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year and All-American honors from this season.

Heys dominated the competition during the 2023 campaign, winning five total races, including winning his first OAC Championship (24:15.8) and Great Lakes Region Championship (23:46.7). His other victories came in the 5k at the Grizzly Invitational (15:07.4), DIII Pre-Nationals (24:46.1) and Jenna Strong Fall Classic (24:23.8).

At the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Challenge, he finished second behind the University of Findlay's Noah Fisher (NCAA Division II) with a time of 24:27.4. In his final collegiate meet, he finished 33rd at the NCAA Division III Cross-Country Championships with a time of 25:04.4.

Heys ends his cross-country career as a three-time All-American, three-time All Great Lakes Region, and three-time First Team All-OAC performer.