July 28, 2010

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio's track & field program received All-Academic team recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for its 2010 season, turning in a 3.33 team GPA, second-highest in the Mid-American Conference.

Nationally, a total of 151 institutions earned the distinction as a result of a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better. Bowling Green paced the conference with a 3.36 GPA. Overall, the MAC placed eight teams on the list, tying for second place nationally among Division 1 conferences with the Big Ten and the Big 12. The Big East lead all conferences with 12 teams.

Individually, three Bobcats garnered placement on the USTFCCCA Division I Women's Track & Field All-Academic Team. Emily Amendola (Beach City, Ohio), Annie Beecham (Granville, Ohio) and Kari Summers (Troy, Ohio). were all recognized for the second year in a row.  In fact, Amendola has now received all-academic status for the past three seasons while competing with the Green & White.  The trio all represented Ohio at the NCAA East Regionals this past spring.

In addition to the Scholar Athletes of the Year, the USTFCCCA also announced the women's 2010 Division I All-Academic Track & Field team. A record total of 551 student-athletes representing 150 institutions compose the group. Nebraska led all schools for the second-straight year with 18 honorees while BYU was next in the order with 15 on the list. The Big Ten notched the conference lead with 65 All-Academic nods while the Big 12 was edged out with 64.

The USTFCCCA honors Division I individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event.