Track/Cross Country: Asselin, Bland Honored
February 27, 2008 03:40 PM | General
February 27, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University distance runners Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland have been named to the All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
To be eligible for the award a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and finish in the top 15 runners or top ten percent of finishers at their respective NCAA regional meet, or receive All-American honors.
Asselin, a native of Sarnia, Ontario and Bland, a product of Fairview, W.Va., each received All-America honors for their performances at NCAA nationals during cross country season. Last weekend, each Asselin and Bland took home BIG EAST Conference titles at the indoor championships in the 3,000 meters and 1,000 meters, respectively.
Asselin along with Pittsburgh’s Shantea Calhoun, was named the BIG EAST track performer of the year.
"Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland established themselves as All-Americans in the fall during cross country season,” Head Coach Sean Cleary says. “Now, this accolade shows they are the cream of the crop as student-athletes. Our school, athletic program and the track and field community are very proud of these talented and amazing young women."
West Virginia’s program was one of nine BIG EAST schools and 158 Division I schools overall to receive the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honor. The Mountaineers had a 3.60 team GPA, which was 16th-best among Division I women’s teams.
For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed at an NCAA Regional Meet and have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.
The WVU track & field team next competes at the ECAC Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center on March 8-9, in Boston, Mass.
