Ohio University is home to one of the best athletic programs in the Mid-American Conference. Although coaches, culture and staff are important to building the status of an athletic program, the players are most important to success on the playing field. Here are the best Ohio athletes at the school today:
Jaya McClure
The junior point guard will be returning for her third year as the point general of the Bobcats Women’s Basketball team. Following a big 2023-24 season, McClure is primed for a huge breakout as a junior. The Louisville native led Ohio in scoring last season, averaging 12.6 points per game while becoming the go-to player for key buckets in close games.
Bradley Weaver
Ohio’s Myrtle Beach Bowl-winning 2023 squad was largely decimated by departures coming by way of the transfer portal. While the majority of the defense either graduated or has entered the portal, Ohio’s 2023 leader in sacks is returning redshirt junior Bradley Weaver. Weaver started all 13 games and led the team in total sacks with six. He was second on the team in QB hits as well, with 17 on the year. Weaver returning is a huge deal for an Ohio team that will look much different this year.
Skipp Miller
The Bobcats’ ace has been nothing short of dominant ever since stepping on the field for the Ohio Softball team. After redshirting her freshman year, Miller played all of the 2023 season for Ohio, where she finished with the third-best ERA in the MAC and the fifth most strikeouts. In 2024, Miller continued her dominance, finishing fourth in the MAC in both ERA and strikeouts. In two full seasons to start her career, Miller has been named to the All-MAC First Team both times.
Scout Murray
The key returning player from the 2023 MAC championship team is without a doubt Scout Murray. The junior forward is coming off a sophomore season where she bagged five goals and one assist. Murray also scored the two biggest goals of Ohio’s season in the MAC semifinals and finals; huge goals that sealed comeback victories to earn a spot in the MAC title game, and the MAC title. Murray became the first player in program history to be named MAC Tournament MVP in 2023.
Gideon Antle
Antle came out of nowhere for Ohio in 2024. The Ohio center fielder came out of the gates scorching hot and never cooled down. Not only did he lead the team in batting average, but he finished top 10 in the conference as well. Although Ohio’s baseball team had a down season in 2024, Antle returning will guarantee a productive hitter who adds a spark to any offense.
Shereef Mitchell
Mitchell, the Omaha, Nebraska, native will be returning for his fifth and final season of college basketball, playing three with Crieghton and two with Ohio. He will be returning as the second-leading scorer from the previous season after averaging 13.3 points per game. Mitchell ended the 2023-2024 on a heater in the MAC tournament as well, averaging 14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game in the two games Ohio played in the MAC tournament.
Anna Kharchynska
A Ukrainian native and 2023 All-MAC First-Team selection will be leading the Bobcats’ volleyball team in 2024. Kharchynska played in all of Ohio’s 31 games and was lights out in every one. She finished second on the team in kills and has the most kills of any returning Bobcat. Expect to see her continue her dominance in 2024.
