COLUMBUS, Ohio - Senior Jeff See was named the 2009 Great Lakes Athlete of the Year Wednesday afternoon by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

See's first-place run of 31:03.16 at Saturday's 10k Great Lakes regional finals helped Ohio State to a third-place finish overall and secured a spot for the Buckeyes at the NCAA championships, their first since 2007. 

"Jeff is having a great cross country campaign - he is rounding into better and better shape as we continue through the championship season," head coach Robert Gary said of his star senior. "For him, I continue to get more and more excited about his cross country strength and how it will help him for the upcoming track season!"

The Middletown, Ohio native is only the second Buckeye to receive the honor - former All-American and current assistant coach Brian Olinger took home the award in 2005 following his first-place finish at regional championships.

An unquestioned leader for the Scarlet and Gray, See is enjoying the best cross country season of his impressive Buckeye career, placing in the Top 3 in five out of six meets. He dominated the competition at the All-Ohio championships in October, beating out the rest of the field by more than 12 seconds for the title, while his third-place run at the Big Ten championships helped the Buckeyes to a runner-up finish, their highest since 2005.

See and the Buckeyes will compete Monday, Nov. 23 at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.