Senior cross country and track runner Riley McInerney added to the Eastern Illinois list of student-athletes that have earned national and conference wide honors for their success in both the class room and in their sport of competition.
 
During the 2016-17 school year McInerney was named one of six individuals to receive the Ohio Valley Conference's prestigious Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.  The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes, and is given annually to three men and three women student-athletes for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities.

The six winners were selected from a group of 17 finalists by a vote of OVC Faculty Athletics Representatives. Honorees must have performed athletically with distinction, earned at least a 3.25 grade point average and conducted themselves in a manner which has brought credit to the student-athlete, his or her institution, intercollegiate athletics and the OVC. The award is based on academic and athletic criteria/accomplishments achieved during the 2015-16 school year.

McInerney becomes the 15th Eastern Illinois student-athlete to win the award and the ninth EIU men's athlete to win the honor.  The last EIU student-athlete named an OVC Scholar-Athlete was volleyball player Stephanie Arnold during the 2012-13 academic year.  The last EIU men's athlete to win the award was baseball player Brian Morrell during the 2008-09 academic year.
 
In addition to McInerney winning the OVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award – seniors Kelly Iden (Tennis) and Chloe Wong (Golf) were named the EIU nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.