CLEVELAND – Western Michigan track and field senior sprinter/hurdler Erin Dowd has been named a Mid-American Conference Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Dowd finished in second place in the 400-meter dash at the Indoor MAC Championship back in February and was named Second Team All-MAC for her efforts.
Following each season from the winter sports schedule, any student with a 3.20 GPA and participation in at least 50 percent of the contests was automatically named to the previously announced Academic All-MAC Team from each sport. Also, first-year students, junior college transfers and graduate transfers in their first year of residence were not eligible for the award.
New for this 2019-20 academic season, the selection for the Distinguished Scholar Athlete included all student-athletes that were recognized as All-MAC selections and Academic All-MAC selections from their respective sport, along with maintaining a 3.50 GPA and above. Previously, a voting process among the MAC Faculty Athletic Representatives determined the selection of the Distinguished Scholar Athletes. MAC membership voted for the change in recognizing the Distinguished Scholar Athletes during the Conference Spring meetings in June of 2019.
Dowd previously earned MAC Distinguished Scholar honors last outdoor season after winning a MAC title in the 400-meter hurdles and progressing to the NCAA East Preliminary Championships.
