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Eastern Illinois Athletics wrapped up its 20th year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in May.  As a way to celebrate the many accomplishments, both team and individual during that time period, EIU conducted an online poll during the month of May for fans to help select the Top 20 athletes of the Panthers OVC Era.  During the month of June we will unveil the top 20 athletes as selected by the more than 2,500 fan votes submitted.  The original list of 40 athletes was comprised by a committee looking at a variety of criteria including Player of the Year, All-American selection and multiple time first-team All-OVC honors.  
 
EIU Athletic Success In The OVC 1997-2016
 
As EIUPanthers.com counts down the top 20 student-athletes ofthe Ohio Valley Conference Era as selected by fan voting, we take a quick pause to reflect on the overall success EIU has had during that time period.  Below are the bullet point highlights of the last 20-years.

NCAA Tournament Appearances - 18  (individuals from men's cross country, men's track and women's track have advanced to the NCAA National Championships)

OVC Regular Season Championships - 19

OVC Tournament Championships - 54 

OVC Player of the Year Winners - 60

OVC Coach of the Year Winners - 71

OVC Freshman/Rookie of the Year Winners - 23

OVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award Winners - 15

OVC Overall Athlete of the Year Award Winners - 6

Academic All-Americans - 21   (EIU has a total 42 all-time Academic All-Americans, tied for the most among OVC schools)

OVC Commissioner's Cups - 3   (EIU has never finished lower than second in the OVC Commissioner's Cup)
 
Listed below are the student-athletes that have been selected 4-through-20.  The top three student-athletes as selected by fan voting along with others considered will be released next week June 27-30.

EIU OVC Era Top 20 Countdown
#20 - Meleah Cutler (Volleyball / 1996-99)
#19 - Sean Lyons (Baseball / 1996-99)
#18 – Rick Kaye (Men's Basketball / 1995-98)
#17 – Jade Riebold (W Track / 2012-14)
#16 – Rachel Galligan (W Basketball / 2006-09)
#15 – Cara LeMaster (W Soccer / 1999-02)
#14 – Erica Gerth (Volleyball / 2001-04)
#13 – Kandace Arnold (W Track / 2007-10)
#12 – Reynae Hutchinson (Volleyball & Softball / 2010-14)
#11 – Erik Lora (Football / 2009-13)
#10 – Amber May (Softball / 2009-11)
#9 – Beth Liesen (W Soccer / 2000-03)
#8 – Mick Viken (M Track & Field / 2011-14)
#7 – J.R. Taylor (Football / 1999-2002)
#6 – Zye Boey (M Track & Field / 2009-12)
#5 – Kyle Hill (M Basketball / 1998-01)
#4 - Kyle O'Brien (M Cross Country and Track / 2001-03)

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