Now in its 79th year, the Ohio Valley Conference continues to build on the success that has made it the nation's eighth-oldest NCAA Division I conference. Over those previous 78 years the League has inspired student-athletes to realize their academic aspirations, maximize their athletics potential, and cultivate their leadership skills to prepare them for life beyond their collegiate experience.

OVC school's have a shared commitment:  A commitment to opportunity ... A commitment to our student-athletes ... A commitment to success. Together we Compete. Grow. Succeed. 

As part of a partnership with Jostens, each week through the academic year, we will honor an OVC student-athlete who has excelled in the classroom, in addition to earning accolades on the playing surface.

This week's honoree is Southeast Missouri senior distance runner Nova Ojutkangas. Last year she was named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll for her work in the classroom. She has won the OVC Cross County Championship each of the past two years and this Friday is looking to become the first OVC female runner to win three championships in a row.

OVC Student-Athletes of the Week presented by Jostens
September 10 - Steve Hall, Lindenwood
September 17 - Tinsley Brown, Morehead State
September 24 - Joe Schwartz, Southern Indiana
October 1 - Taylor Babb, SIUE
October 8 - Alexis Beltran, Western Illinois
October 15 - Rahfeeq Katumbusi, Eastern Illinois
October 22 - Gabriella Blevins, Tennessee State
October 29 - Nova Ojutkangas, Southeast Missouri