CINCINNATI - Hannah Markel, a member of the University of Cincinnati track & field and cross country programs, was named the 2020 recipient of the University's C-Ring Women's Leadership Award, a honor that as begun in 1922. Markel, a graduating senior from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was selected from among all graduating women on campus.
"Being the 2020 C-Ring Award recipient is such an honor," Markel said. "Knowing the legacies of the other 95 women who have earned this award before me is an inspiring reminder that the dedication and courage of one woman opens doors for every woman that comes after!
"To me, advocacy is putting what you value into action," Markel continued. "This year, my professor, Dr. Jane Sojka, and myself started the first ever UC women's initiative in the athletic department called 'Inspire, Equip, Connect'. As a female, you are expected to be poised, smart, compassionate, pretty, and organized. As a female student-athlete, you are expected to be all those things plus tough, disciplined, resilient, and confident; you are expected to juggle more balls and to pick them up faster when they inevitably fall out of rotation. Our initiative was aimed at building resiliency in female student-athletes by equipping the with the strategies they needed to overcome failure. With 'fan girls' from almost every women's team, we created an incredible network of female leaders who openly talked about their failures, successes, and how they can become the leaders little girls will look up to. I credit this achievement to them and the UC athletic department, especially Coach Lara Rogers and Jessie Mills (Student-Athlete Support Services). Those ladies and the athletic department as a whole has encouraged every endeavor of mine, whether it was for running or personal and professional development. I am beyond grateful to be a Bearcat and for the people who have shaped me into the young women I am today! I will wear the C-Ring with pride!"
According the UC Women's Center website, the award - a 10-karat gold ring - represents a legacy of UC undergraduate women who exemplify advocacy for women and girls, a commitment to the University and the community, and academic excellence. Along with her initiative, Markel carried a 3.598 GPA while also competing in both cross country and track. In her senior season that was cut short because the COVID-19 pandemic, Markel played a big role in the women's cross country team fifth-place finish at the AAC Championships - the program's best finish since 2000 - as she finished 14th overall and earned AAC All-Conference accolades. On the indoor track, she broke school record in the 3,000m run with a time of 9:40.55 that placed her seventh at the conference meet. Earlier in the season, she ran 17:26.16 in the 5,000m and 4:55.20 in the mile to record the #8 and #3 times in program history, respectively.
First given in 1922 by the Athletics Department to the best "all around gal," the award has evolved over the last 95 years to become an all-university award based on service and academic excellence. Each spring, the award is presented to an outstanding graduating senior woman at UC who has demonstrated excellence in leadership throughout their undergraduate career. The candidate also must have carried a 3.2 GPA or better for her academic career. For more information on the award, visit the UC Women's Center web page.
Hannah Markel Earns UC’s Prestigious C-Ring Award
Hannah Markel, a member of the University of Cincinnati track & field and cross country programs, was named the 2020 recipient of the University's C-Ring Women's Leadership Award, a honor that as begun in 1922.
