MSU Track and Field Athletes Gain National Academic Recognition
Chris Syme
7/16/2009
The 2009 NCAA Division I All-Academic Track and Field team included four Bobcat women, two men, and the women’s outdoor team. A record total of 329 student-athletes representing 108 Division I institutions made up the men’s 2009 All-Academic team.
Women honored included senior Ellie Rudy (pole vault), junior Alli Jones (weight throws) and sophomores Lena Suek (javelin) and Emily Tyrell (javelin). Men receiving the academic honor were freshman weight thrower David Phillips and junior distance runner Matt Adams. The women’s track and field team had the 24th best grade point average in the nation with a 3.35.
“This is a great honor for our kids and for our teams,” head coach Dale Kennedy said. “One of the things we really stress is academics and it’s great when our kids receive the recognition for a job well done in the classroom.”
The honorees also achieved on the field this season as all six individuals qualified for the Midwest Regional Championships in Norman, Oklahoma this spring, and Tyrell competing in the NCAA national championship in Arkansas.
“It’s really something when you see these student-athletes do well in both the classroom and in competition,” Kennedy said.
In the Big Sky Conference, only Eastern Washington had more women gain the prestigious national award with six Eagles on the academic team.
Big Sky Team Members- Women
Bonnie Berscheid - Eastern Washington University
Michelle Coombs - Eastern Washington University
Shene' Davis - Eastern Washington University
Krystal Deyo - Eastern Washington University
Chelsi Friese - Eastern Washington University
Shannon Long - Eastern Washington University
Alexandra (Shasha) Buylova - Idaho State University
Erica Wendt - Idaho State University
Sydney Wendt - Idaho State University
Allison Jones - Montana State University
Elouise Rudy - Montana State University
Lena Suek - Montana State University
Emily Tyrrell - Montana State University
Kara DeWalt - University of Montana
Courtney Kosovich - University of Montana
Ifeoma Agwuenu - Sacramento State
Morinsola Keshinro - Sacramento State
Ericka Violett - Sacramento State
Jessica Carter - Weber State University
Allyson Dean - Weber State University
Natalie Haws - Weber State University
Camille Lott - Weber State University
Big Sky Team Members- Men
Levi Keller - Idaho State University
Samuel Pierson - Idaho State University
Eric Strand - Idaho State University
Matt Atkinson-Adams - Montana State University
David Phillips - Montana State University
Chris Hellekson - University of Montana
Ronald Brookins - Sacramento State
Gregory Grose - Sacramento State
David Rabinowitz - Sacramento State
Jace Nye - Weber State University
David Olson - Weber State University
Trevor Ricks - Weber State University