The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Rizzo, Michelle
Michelle Rizzo
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 2002
1998-01
Distance Runner
First Cross Country All-American in school history (1999) … also finished third at the 1999 NCAA Great Lakes Regional … first Akron Cross Country MAC Champion, winning the 1999 title in 17:22.20 … also led the Zips’ cross country team to its first MAC Championship in ’99 … broke five school records during her time at UA, setting the standard in the mile, indoor and outdoor 3k, and indoor and outdoor 5k … three of those records still stand today, including the indoor 3k and 5k, and outdoor 5k.
* * *
Michelle Rizzo was the first Zips women’s cross country runner to be named as an All-American, doing so as a sophomore in 1999. Also as a sophomore, she was Akron’s first MAC champion in cross country, winning the title in 17:22.20 and leading the team to its first league championship as well.
Rizzo finished third at the 1999 NCAA Great Lakes Regional and 38th at the NCAA Championship to earn All-America honors. As a freshman in 1998, she clocked the fastest times in four of Akron’s eight meets.
Additionally, she lettered in track where she broke five school records, setting the standard in the mile, indoor and outdoor 3k, and indoor and outdoor 5k. Two of those records still stand, including the indoor 5k and outdoor 5k.
In 2012, Rizzo was named to UA’s top-40 female athletes of all-time list as part of the University’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX.
Distance Runner
First Cross Country All-American in school history (1999) … also finished third at the 1999 NCAA Great Lakes Regional … first Akron Cross Country MAC Champion, winning the 1999 title in 17:22.20 … also led the Zips’ cross country team to its first MAC Championship in ’99 … broke five school records during her time at UA, setting the standard in the mile, indoor and outdoor 3k, and indoor and outdoor 5k … three of those records still stand today, including the indoor 3k and 5k, and outdoor 5k.
* * *
Michelle Rizzo was the first Zips women’s cross country runner to be named as an All-American, doing so as a sophomore in 1999. Also as a sophomore, she was Akron’s first MAC champion in cross country, winning the title in 17:22.20 and leading the team to its first league championship as well.
Rizzo finished third at the 1999 NCAA Great Lakes Regional and 38th at the NCAA Championship to earn All-America honors. As a freshman in 1998, she clocked the fastest times in four of Akron’s eight meets.
Additionally, she lettered in track where she broke five school records, setting the standard in the mile, indoor and outdoor 3k, and indoor and outdoor 5k. Two of those records still stand, including the indoor 5k and outdoor 5k.
In 2012, Rizzo was named to UA’s top-40 female athletes of all-time list as part of the University’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX.
2025 Akron Zips Football - Weekly Press Conference w/Joe Moorhead Week #6 (C. Michigan) - 9/29/25
Monday, September 29
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