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Cross Country’s Katie Webb Named Cleveland State Valedictorian For Fall 2015 Commencement

Cross Country’s Katie Webb Named Cleveland State Valedictorian For Fall 2015 Commencement
Posted: Dec 14, 2015

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Former Cleveland State cross country runner Katie Webb has been named the Fall 2015 College of Education and Human Services Valedictorian as well as the Fall 2015 Class Valedictorian. Webb was selected as her college valedictorian after being nominated earlier this semester, and was then selected by Cleveland State University to serve as the overall class valedictorian at the 2015 Fall Commencement.

Webb is the third cross country runner to be named Cleveland State Valedictorian, as Brittany Elmlinger earned the honor during the Fall 2012 commencement and Kelly Zaleski earned the honor during the Spring 2013 ceremony.

"I was so excited to learn that I was named the Cleveland State Valedictorian, I always tried my best when it came to academics, and really focused on my studies and school work throughout my time at Cleveland State," Webb said. "Joe has been a great influence on me during my time at Cleveland State – both on the course and off the course. He is always putting an emphasis on being a well-rounded student-athlete, not just a cross country runner, and that really made me appreciate my time spent as a Viking."

Webb graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Early Childhood Education, after carrying a 4.0 cumulative grade point average throughout her collegiate career. She has been involved with the Honors College and has earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester during her four years as a student-athlete (8 times).

Following the 2012 cross country season, Webb was named to the Horizon League Fall Academic Team for her accomplishments both on and off the course. Last spring, Webb received the inaugural John and Sandra Konstantinos's Scholarship, which is presented to the Cleveland State student-athlete who best reflects and embodies the virtues of former CSU Director of Athletics John Konstantinos – including leadership, integrity, perseverance, loyalty and humility.

"I am extremely proud of Katie and all that she has accomplished during her time at Cleveland State. The cross country program has had a long list of talented student-athletes, and Katie has been one of best that I have had the pleasure of working with. She definitely brought a lot to the team both as a student and as an athlete," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "There are many demands placed on a student-athlete and Katie was able to handle all of them with ease. Throughout her time as a Viking, she really showed what it meant to be a successful Division I student-athlete."

Webb has been part of the cross country team for the last five years – running as a student-athlete from 2011-2014 and serving as a student assistant coach during the 2015 season. Throughout her career, Webb was one of Cleveland State's top runners, graduating with three CSU Top-50 5K times and three CSU Top-50 6K performances.

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Cross Country's Ashlyn Woods Named COSHP Outstanding Senior

Current Cleveland State cross country runner Ashlyn Woods has been named one of the College of Sciences and Health Professions Fall 2015 Outstanding Seniors, earning the honor in her major of Speech and Hearing. Woods earned the honor after graduating Summa Cum Laude following just five semesters at Cleveland State.

Throughout her first five semesters at Cleveland State, Woods posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.85 and earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester. She has been a part of the CSU Honors College, and earned a spot on the Horizon League Fall Academic Team last year.

"I am so proud of everything that Ashlyn has been able to accomplish throughout her short time at Cleveland State," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "I knew from the beginning that Ashlyn was a special person, both on the cross country course and academically, and she has definitely proved that through her first three seasons in a Viking uniform. Ashlyn is always striving to become better – athletically and academically – and no doubt has a bright future ahead of her."

Woods, who just finished her junior year with the Vikings, has been one of the best runners to come through the Cleveland State program under head coach Joe Jaketic. Last year as a sophomore, Woods set program records on both the 5K (18:35) and 6K courses (22:17), and currently owns 13 top-50 5K times and eight top-50 6K times on the CSU Top Performances list.

Through 27 collegiate races, Woods has been Cleveland State's top finisher 16 times. She is one of just two Vikings to break the 19-minute 5K mark and 23-minute 6K mark. As a junior, Woods was named Second Team All-Horizon League – the first Viking to earn all-league accolades over the past 11 years.