FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

USTFCCCA All-Academic

Feb. 15, 2011-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its NCAA Division III All-Academic honorees for the women's country season with North Central College's Amanda Laesch earning the award for the fourth time in her career.

The USTFCCCA All-Academic award honors those student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average and must finish in the top 35 among the field at their respective NCAA regional meet. In total, 170 individuals from 82 institutions were honored. Laesch and Illinois Wesleyan University's Elise Anderson were the only College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin athletes to be honored.

Laesch, who is currently working towards a masters degree in leadership studies, finished third in the 6,000-meter race (21:29) at the NCAA Midwest Regional on Nov. 13 in Rock Island, Ill. A week later at Wartburg College's Max Cross Country Course, Laesch placed 15th (21:32) at the NCAA Division III National Championships, becoming just the sixth Cardinal women's cross country runner to earn All-American honors. The senior additionally won the CCIW Championship on Oct. 30, finishing in 21:47, more than a minute faster than the next closest competitor.

This is the fourth year Leasch has been honored as USTFCCCA All-Academic. The senior also earned the award in 2009, 2008 and 2006, becoming the first four-time honoree in program history.

The Cardinals claimed their second straight CCIW title in 2010 before placing sixth at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.