Track: Two Named Academic All-America
June 24, 2010 11:18 AM | General
By Kelly Tuckwiller for MSNsportsNET.com
June 24, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU track and field and cross country student-athletes Marie-Louise Asselin and Kaylyn Christopher have been named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans, announced today by the College Sports Information Director’s of America.
Asselin was named to the second team, while Christopher earned third-team mentions.
“Kaylyn and Marie have set a standard for future generations of Mountaineers,” coach Sean Cleary says. “They are All-Americans on the grass, the track and in the classroom. Their single-minded pursuit for excellence is contagious and very much felt and sought after throughout our team.
“Our state, town, University and department are very proud of these two and all of the others that strive to be the very best that they can be.”
This marks Asselin’s second academic All-America honor after the Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, native earned third-team honors last season. A biochemistry major, Asselin owns a 3.66 GPA and is one of WVU’s most decorated student-athletes.
This past season, Asselin became one of the only females at WVU to earn three All-American honors in three different seasons and finish as the national runner-up in the 5,000-meter race at the outdoor and indoor championships. Her first honor came with a 31st-place finish in cross country (20:43), followed by a second-place finish in the 5,000-meter race at the indoor championships (15:50.53). She then earned the seventh All-America honor of her career with a second-place finish in the 5,000 meter at the outdoor championships (15:53.93).
Christopher earns her first academic All-America honor with 3.94 GPA as a double major in journalism and philosophy. The Kingwood, W.Va., native completed the 2010 indoor season earning two All-America honors.
Christopher finished in 12th place in the mile with a time of 4:46.76, earning the honors by virtue of being one of the top eight U.S. citizens. She then turned around to aid the distance medley relay team to an eighth-place showing with a time of 11:16.39, just a few hours later.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.0 and have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution.
