FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2009

Lions conclude 2008-09 campaign with tremendous academic success

Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern women's track and field team was honored by the NCAA, and put ten different athletes on the 2009 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team in a conclusion to another successful academic and athletic campaign.

The Lions also earned a team honor at this year's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships for having the highest team GPA of any women's track and field team at 2009 Division II Winter National Championship Festival. The team posted a GPA of 3.513.

The Lions ten individual honorees were second-most in Division II. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met the NCAA Division II Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.

Representing the Lions on the All-Academic team were seniors Kara Eckard (Warrensburg, Mo.), Kari Fritchie (Lee's Summit, Mo.), and  Cortney Vie (Lone Jack, Mo.); juniors Ciara Lipsey (Wichita, Kan.), Kimi Shank (Rolla, Mo.), Erin Steffens (Festus, Mo.), Courtney Waltbillig (Rogersville, Mo.) and Jill Weeks (Brownell, Kan.). Sophomore Carita Riutta (Espoo, Finland) and freshman Nicole Green (Carthage, Mo.) round out the list.

A total of 250 student-athletes representing 73 Division II colleges and universities made up the 2009 All-Academic Team.

"This is an outstanding achievement for the young ladies in our program," said head coach Patty Vavra. "This team's academic prowess parallels their athletic success. Their discipline, perseverance and hard work have garnered them success both on the competitive field and in the academic realm. They epitomize the term student-athlete. I couldn't be more proud."