FLORENCE, S.C. – Findlay native Jonathan Runion recently completed his playing (soccer) and academic careers at Francis Marion University, an NCAA Division II institution in Florence, S.C., earning accolades both on the playing field and in the classroom.

Runion earned the B.S. degree in biology last month, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.803 grade point average. He has been accepted into the dental school program at Ohio State University.

A four-year starter at goalkeeper for the Patriots on the soccer field, Runion finished his career holding nearly every FMU career goalkeeping record: saves (382), matches started in goal (66), matches played in goal (72), and minutes played in goal (6,446). His career save total is second-best in Peach Belt Conference history.

This past season, he played every minute in goal for the Patriots, recording 134 saves, the most by a Francis Marion keeper in 18 seasons, for a per match average of 6.7. He ranked seventh nationally in saves per match according to the final 2005 NCAA Division II men’s soccer statistical report. He compiled a 1.73 goals against average and recorded three shutouts.

Runion was named to the first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Team for the College Division. He was a second-team honoree in 2004.

Runion was an FMU Student Marshal and a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Beta Beta, Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies. He was a member of the school’s Ars Medica organization, and was selected to both the Peach Belt Conference Presidential and FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic honors rolls each of his four years. For two years, he did genetic research with FMU associate professor of biology Vernon Bauer.

The Francis Marion men’s soccer team finished its 2005 campaign with an 8-11-1 record, playing against a difficult schedule that included nine matches against nationally ranked opponents. The Patriots advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals.

As a freshman in 2002, Runion started all 20 matches and posted a 1.32 goals against average as the Patriots recorded a 15-5-0 mark and won the PBC regular-season championship.

Runion was a two-sport athlete at Findlay High School.