Bridgewater's Hiegel, Lynchburg's Johnson Lead ODAC Cross Country Awards

FOREST, Va. --- For the second time in as many seasons, Bridgewater Colllege senior Jamie Hiegel is among the headliners for the final ODAC cross country awards. He is joined this season by University of Lynchburg sophomore Kaitlyn Johnson as the duo were named the ODAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Runners of the Year, respectively, in a vote of the league's head coaches.

Washington and Lee University mentors Brandon Spalding and Michael Dager swept the ODAC Men's and Women's Coach of the Year awards for the second straight year. Generals first-year Sarah Hollen received ODAC Women's Rookie of the Year honors, while Lynchburg freshman Max Sparks and Virginia Wesleyan University sophomore Skyler Lattuca share ODAC Men's Rookie of the Year laurels.

The ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurances Scholar-Athletes --- LYN's Samantha Schreiber and W&L's Hank Patrick --- were announced along with the All-ODAC First and Second Teams following the ODAC Championships hosted by Shenandoah University at Kernstown Battlefield. Those honors are posted below.

RELATED: 2018 ODAC Championship Results | 208 South/Southeast Regional Results

Johnson, from Spotsylvania, has one more race to go in a stellar season as she prepares to compete in her first NCAA Division III national championship this weekend in Winneconne, Wis. Johnson finished third overall in the ODAC Championship with a time of 22:29.8 over the six-kilometer course. She finished in the same position at the Division III South/Southeast Regional Championships hosted by Berry College in Mount Berry, Ga., grabbing the second individual qualifier position with a time of 22:37.1. Johnson earned three ODAC Runner of the Week honors during the regular schedule. She became the first woman at Lynchburg to crack the 22-minute mark on a 6K with her time of 21:54.7 at the Inter-Regional Border Battle hosted by Rowan University. That time, which placed 14th in a very competitive field, was tops in the ODAC.

Hiegel, from Richmond, Va., is now a two-time ODAC Men's Runner of the Year in addition to appearing on the All-ODAC First Team each of his four seasons at Bridgewater. He was the ODAC Rookie of the Year in 2015. Hiegel will be competing in the NCAA Championships for the third time this weekend as he has his eyes set on All-America qualification. Hiegel's season includes a second straight ODAC individual title with an eight-kilometer time of 25:24.9. He earned in NCAA spot by placing third at the regional championships and securing the third individual qualification entry with a time of 25:37.6.

Dager is in his fifth campaign leading the Washington and Lee women's cross country squad. The Generals' captured their fourth straight ODAC crown in 2087, bringing the program's total to a conference-record 18 titles. This season's victory was might tighter than last despite five all-conference runs including a trio on the first team. The Generals topped Lynchburg by just five points, 34-39, in the team standings. W&L finished third at the regional championships, just outside of team qualification territory.

Spalding is in his sixth season guiding the Washington and Lee men's cross country program. Much like the Generals' women, W&L's men have lifted four straight ODAC trophies to bring the program's total to 13 all-time. Washington and Lee ran away with the ODAC title, accumulating just 27 points compared to second-place Lynchburg's 60 markers. Six Generals earned all-league honors, including four on the first team.

Hollen, from Palmyra, Pa., put together a strong first season that included an All-ODAC Second Team spot and ODAC Rookie of the Meet laurels. She was the top first-year finisher at the ODAC Championships, chiming in 14th at 24:02.5. She continued her season at the regional championships, where she finished 65th overall and sixth among her Generals teammates at 25:00.6. Her top regular season 6K time came at the Gettysburg Invitational where she placed 58th in a competitive field at 24:55.7.

Sparks, from Canton, Conn., just missed on a first team spot following the ODAC Championships as he placed eighth overall with a time of 26:42.1. He continued his season at the regional championships and turned in a national qualifying performance with a 14th-place finish. His time of 26:14.8 secured the seventh and final individual qualification spot, sending him on to Winneconne for nationals. It also marked his top collegiate 8K time.

Lattuca, a two-time ODAC Runner of the Week, put his best foot forward at the ODAC Championships as he earned a first team spot by placing sixth overall at 26:25.7. He was also strong at the regional championships, placing 32nd overall with a time of 26:42.4. Lattuca's collegiate-best time came at the Don Catchart Invitational in late September as he finished fourth overall at 25:33.2.

For more information on ODAC Cross Country, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook at follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.