July 30, 2010
NEW ORLEANS, La.: July 30, 2010 - A total of eight Nittany Lion track and field athletes have earned All-Academic recognition from the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches' Association, including women's team members Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.), Natalie Bower (Pleasant Unity, Pa.), Megan Duncan (North Huntingdon, Pa.), Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio), and Cheryl Spring (The Woodlands, Texas), as well as Tyler McCandless (Bath, Pa.), Cory Eck (State College, Pa.) and Ryan Foster (Tasmania, Australia) from the men's squad.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA 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 participated in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships (including preliminary rounds) in their respective event.
Franek earns the award for the fourth-consecutive year after capping her Nittany Lion career with an NCAA victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase last month. Over her time in the Blue and White, Franek captured 10 All-America finishes, to go along with four Big Ten titles. The Hiram, Ohio, native recently graduated with a degree in Kinesiology. Barber, who garners the academic honor for the first time, also completed her eligibility this spring, ending her career as one of the most decorated athletes in Nittany Lion history. Barber, who was a member of the Lions' NCAA Champion 4x400-meter relay in 2008, collected 11 All-America finishes over her career, to tie Shana Cox and Connie Moore for the most All-America efforts by a Nittany Lion women. Barber is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Human Resources and Employee Relations. Spring, who also recently concluded her Nittany Lion career, receives the award for the third-straight year, and will continue her coursework in Nursing this fall. Spring was a key member of the Lion distant contingent, and owns performances in the All-Time Penn State Top 10 in the steeplechase, 5,000- and 10,000-meters.
Duncan is three-for-three in receiving the academic honor, after recently completing her junior year with the Nittany Lions. Duncan - a Mathematics major - had an outstanding campaign in 2010, qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter hurdles, thanks to a personal-best 57.55. Bower garners the first Academic honor of her career after a stellar freshman year on the track. Bower, who is enrolled in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, excelled in the steeplechase as a rookie, qualifying for the NCAA First Round in the event.
Foster has twice earned USTFCCCA standing, and recently finished off his junior year for Nittany Lions. In 2010, Foster impressed in the middle distances, setting Penn State indoor records in the 800- (1:47.32) and 1000-meters (2:19.60). The junior, who is majoring in Economics, would go on to take third place in the 800 at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
McCandless earns USTFCCCA honors for the second time, after garnering the academic award following the 2008 cross country season. McCandless - a 2010 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honoree - enjoyed a tremendous senior year, including an All-America finish in the 10,000-meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Bath, Pa., native was also the recipient of the prestigious Oswald award, given to Penn State students who have displayed outstanding leadership.
Eck garners the honor for the first time, having recently completely his Nittany Lion career this spring. The senior qualified for the NCAA First Round meet in both the discus and hammer throw, and stands as a member of the All-Time Top 10 lists in both events. Eck graduated with a degree in Nutrition.
After a summer off, the Nittany Lion track and field teams will be back in action at the Blue-White Intersquad Meet on December 11.