Kielty, Kingma earn USTFCCCA cross country All-Academic honors


Two members of the Arizona State University cross country program, Ali Kielty and Jenna Kingma, have been named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic team for the 2007 cross country season, the Association announced Friday. The duo, both of which earned All-America honors for their athletic success in 2007, also led the women's team to academic honors as well.

The United States Track & Field, Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) annually honors outstanding academic achievement and this year was no different as the Sun Devil women were one of 158 Division I teams (of 325) that carried a 3.00 grade point average or higher during the season to earn USTFCCCA Team All-Academic honors. The Sun Devils, who averaged a 3.64 GPA, were one of 35 teams that recorded a GPA of 3.50 or higher and were one of the eight teams in the Top 10 standings at the NCAA Championships to earn academic honors. The women placed fourth overall in Terre Haute, Ind., to earn their second trophy finish in the last three seasons.

Individually, Kingma placed 37th overall and Kielty was 42nd at the national meet to earn their first All-America honors in cross country and are two of just 91 student-athletes to earn academic honors from the USTFCCCA this year. Kingma, a Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention selection, earned her second national academic honor for cross country from the USTFCCCA in as many years and her fourth honor overall after being a two-time selection in track & field. Kielty is making her first appearance on the cross country list and her third overall selection after earning accolades in track & field last year.

Student-athletes are eligible to earn recognition from the USTFCCCA if they carry a cumulative 3.25 GPA or higher and place in the Top 15 (or 10-percent) at the NCAA regional championships or earn All-America honors at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

USTFCCCA All-Academic Selections
Women's Individuals - Ali Kielty & Jenna Kingma
Women's Team - Arizona State University