WVU Places 18 on Academic All-Big 12 Team

May 07, 2019 03:01 PM | Track & Field

2019 Academic All-Big 12 Track & Field Team

By: Joe Mitchin

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Eighteen members of the West Virginia University track and field team have been named to the 2019 Academic All-Big 12 Track and Field Team, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Seven Mountaineers – redshirt sophomore Antigone Archer (social work), redshirt freshman Katherine Dowie (exercise physiology), sophomore Ellie Gardner (aerospace engineering), redshirt junior Olivia Hill (exercise physiology), redshirt junior Andrea Pettit (immunology and medical microbiology), sophomore McKenna Smith (occupational therapy) and redshirt freshman Bree Warren (speech pathology and audiology) – were recognized on the first team with 4.0 grade point averages, the second-most in the conference among women's programs.

Redshirt freshman Marianne Abdalah (biology), senior Danique Bryan (nursing), redshirt senior Jillian Forsey (exercise physiology), redshirt senior Madelin Gardner (biomedical engineering), redshirt senior Shamoya McNeil (occupational therapy), sophomore Mikayla Shute (biology), redshirt senior Bria Welker (physical therapy) and redshirt sophomore Sarah Wills (biomedical engineering) also earned first-team distinction, while redshirt freshman Hayley Jackson (multidisciplinary studies), redshirt junior Candace Jones (strategic communications) and redshirt junior Faith Penny (finance) earned second-team honors.

"This year, we were able to get better than 90 percent of our upperclassmen recognized with this honor," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "This, along with our freshmen earning what is arguably the best freshman class GPA in team history, makes us ecstatic with this result. The University and athletics department's vision for academic success is evident, and we are very proud."

A total of 320 student-athletes, including 204 women, were recognized on the Academic All-Big 12 Team this year. The first team featured 175 women, with 29 more joining the second team.

First-team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 grade point average or better, while second-team honorees hold a GPA of 3.00-3.19.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Mountaineers begin postseason competition at the 2019 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championship, from May 10-12, at the John Jacobs Track Complex in Norman, Oklahoma.

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.