Johns Hopkins graduate student Alex Ross has been named the Division III National Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 

Ross, who PR’d at four different distances between the indoor and outdoor track & field seasons, cruised to victory at the Baltimore Metro Meet two weeks ago and led Johns Hopkins to the team title over several NCAA DI programs. Ross crossed the finish line in 18:10.1, which was exactly five seconds faster than runner-up Katie Altieri of Maryland.

The Blue Jays are looking for big things from Ross in 2022 after a strong season on the grass circuit last year. Ross finished top-5 in four consecutive meets before an All-American effort at the 2021 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships to help Johns Hopkins to the national title.

This is the first time since 2016 that a female athlete from Johns Hopkins has been named National Athlete of the Week during the cross country season. Ross joins Felecia Koerner (2016), Sophia Meehan (2015, 2014) and Hannah Oneda (2013) as those athletes who have been honored in program history.