Men's Cross Country | 6/17/2022 8:34:11 AM
Seth Greene of the Houghton College cross country and track and field team was named the 2021-22 Empire 8 Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, based on a vote by the conference Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs). The award honors one male student-athlete who best exemplify what it means to be a dedicated scholar and athlete over the course of their collegiate careers.
Greene emerged as a valuable member of the Highlanders cross country squad, culminating with back-to-back All-Empire 8 second team honors. He placed 12th overall at the 2021 Empire 8 Spring Cross Country Championship and placed eighth in a personal-best time of 26:29.6 over 8,000-meters at the 2021 Empire 8 Cross Country Championship during the fall.
Greene was also named an Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year in both the abbreviated Spring 2021 season and 2021 Fall season.
“Seth came into our program as a casual runner, never having participated on a team, to one of the top distance runners in the E8 during a short time,” said Houghton Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach Pat Hager. “I am still yet to see someone who has a smile on their face during an entire distance race. He was a joy to work with and I’ll greatly miss his passion for running.”
Greene also excelled on the track for Houghton, having claimed the 2021 Empire 8 Outdoor Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
“Seth Greene never competed in organized cross country/track and field competition until he attended Houghton College,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “He proceeded to earn back-to-back all-conference honors and set some of the fastest times in the college’s history. The perseverance and mental fortitude required to excel makes him an inspiration. His athletic accomplishments are only rivaled by his academic achievements which include scoring in the 98th percentile on the Major Field Test in Biology in the country! He is most deserving of our highest honor.”
A native of Avalon, Wisc., Greene is set to earn his bachelor’s degree in health sciences from Houghton, while carrying a 3.953 cumulative grade-point average. Greene was a six-time member of the Empire 8 President's List for student-athletes with GPAs of 3.75. In addition, he was a member of Houghton’s Science Honors Program.
“Seth has been a model student-athlete throughout his undergraduate career and has emerged as a quiet leader in his classes,” said Aaron Sullivan, Chair of Houghton’s Department of Biology. “He is well spoken and can clearly articulate questions and comments during class discussions and while working with his peers within small research groups. These combined characteristics, I believe, demonstrate his strong potential as a life-long learner and scientist, as well as the sense of responsibility and leadership that embody an Empire 8 Senior Scholar Athlete.”
2021-22 Empire 8 Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalists
Matt Amoddio, Elmira College – Volleyball
Seth Greene, Houghton College – Cross Country/Track and Field
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The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
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