The University of Mississippi Athletics
Six Track And Field Rebels Named To All-Academic Team
7/14/2009 | Track and Field
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Ole Miss track and field student-athletes Kristin Bridges, Aria Gaines, Sofie Persson, Juliana Smith, Lee Ellis Moore and Wale Odetunde were each selected as members of the 2009 Division I U.S Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team the outlet announced Tuesday.
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 USTFCCA 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.
Earlier this year, Smith became just the second female in school history to win an individual championship at the SEC Indoor Championships. Smith accomplished the feat by taking first place in the weight throw with a distance of 62-03.00.
Persson finished as the runner-up at the SEC Outdoor Championships in the 400 meters with a time of 57.96. Her mark is the second fastest time in school history.
Bridges was selected to the SEC All-freshman team after placing 11th in the 100 meters at the SEC Outdoor Championships with a time of 11.67.
Gaines scored for the Rebels at the SEC Outdoor Championships by placing eighth in the triple jump with a distance of 40-02.25. She went on to compete in the USA Junior Track and Field Championships and finished in ninth in the triple jump.
On the men's side, Odetunde captured the individual championship in the triple jump at the SEC Outdoor Championships with a leap of 51-08.50. He became the first Rebel to be the SEC triple jump champion since Alvin Haynes accomplished the feat in 1992.
Moore finished in fourth place for the Rebels at the SEC Outdoor Championships in the 400 meter hurdles by setting a new school record time of 50.01. He went on to place 11th in the event at the USA Track and Field Championships.