June 29, 2011
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV track and field program had a banner year in the classroom with a program-record 17 student-athletes named to the Spring 2011 Academic All-Mountain West list, while eight more - tied the program high - were tabbed to the MW's Scholar-Athlete Award to tie for the program's best output. Seven individuals were named to both honors, while 11 others were included on one of the lists.
Leading the contingent of Rebels to be claim both academic honors was LaShante Ellison (3.60, social work), who racked up her fourth scholar-athlete award and was named to her second academic all-conference list. Lindsay Roach (3.59, kinesiological sciences) was recognized for the third time for both honors, while Christine Lowe (3.74, hospitality management), Samantha Swan (3.81, management) and Kelsey Williamson (3.57, business administration) each earned their second scholar-athlete award. As for the academic all-conference honor, Lowe has now been named three times, Williamson twice and Swan once.
Larissa Davis (3.50, sociology) and Ashley Franklin (3.52, kinesiological sciences) were first-timers chosen for both honors, while Shannon Simpson (3.67, kinesiological sciences) was named to the scholar-athlete award.
Deja Edwards (3.09, kinesiological sciences) joins Lowe and Roach as three-time selections to the academic all-conference list. Emily Blok (3.48, kinesiological sciences) and Brett Zorich (3.12, kinesiological sciences) have also been selected multiple times for the academic all-conference honor, as it the second time for both of them.
Other first time academic all-conference honorees were: Laura Affeld (3.36, nutrition); Ali Bartosch (3.49, health education); Davina Collins (3.01, kinesiological sciences); Ria Daniels (3.03, international business); Taylar Mills (3.31, business administration); Adrianna Oliva (3.23, hospitality management) and Stephanie Schafer (3.00, health education).
The MW Scholar-Athlete Award is one of the highest academic honors bestowed by the Conference. To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least two academic terms at the member institution, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better, and have participated in varsity competition in an NCAA-sponsored sport.
A league-record 581 student-athletes were honored by the MW today for the Scholar-Athlete Award. This year's tally greatly surpasses the previous conference record of 549 honorees set in 2008-09.
Overall, 782 student-athletes from the MW were named to the academic team, and this year's mark surpassed the previous league record of 772 honorees set in 2008-09. To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and be a starter or significant contributor on their athletic team.
