RIPON, Wisconsin – Matt Seeber of the Ripon men's cross country and track and field programs has been named the winner of the Midwest Conference's Roy W. LeClere Award as announced by the league on Wednesday morning.
 
In conjunction with the Ruth Peterson Award for MWC women's sports, the Peterson/LeClere Awards are presented to the Midwest Conference female and male student-athletes who posted the highest grade point averages during their junior years. Roy W. LeClere was a devoted collegiate sports enthusiast whose passion for the MWC inspired friends and colleagues to establish the award in his memory.
 
Seeber becomes the second Ripon male to win the LeClere Award in the last four years, joining Cormac Madigan of Ripon football and baseball in the 2021-22 school year. Jason Smith, another Red Hawk cross country and track and field athlete, was Ripon's first recipient in 2010-11.
 
"Matt embodies the spirit of the Ripon College student-athlete," stated Director of Athletics Chris Schumacher. "His dedication to both his sport and his academics is truly inspiring, and this recognition highlights his hard work and commitment to excellence in every aspect."
 
Seeber, a Mathematics major from Lakewood, Wisconsin who is also receiving a minor in Educational Studies, has been one of Ripon's most reliable runners both in cross country and track for his four seasons as a Red Hawk. In cross country, Seeber is a two-time All-Midwest Conference performer, taking 15th place at the 2022 MWC Championships and 16th at the 2023 event. He also is a two-time Elite 20 award winner for Midwest Conference men's cross country as the student-athlete with the highest GPA competing at the league's culminating championship.
 
On the track, the Wabeno High School product has helped the Red Hawk men to three consecutive indoor and outdoor Midwest Conference championships. He was an MWC champion in the indoor distance medley relay in both 2023 and 2024, and was All-MWC in both the outdoor 10K in 2024 and the indoor distance medley relay in 2022.
 
In the classroom, Seeber is a three-time Academic All-MWC recipient in both cross country and track and field. He was also a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree for track and field in 2024.
 
FOLLOW: Follow Ripon College Red Hawks Athletics on Facebook and @RiponRedHawks on Twitter for immediate updates, results and more. Go to riponredhawks.com for all information, releases and schedules.