Track Earns USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors

Friday, July 26 2013


Five individuals and both squads recognized by USTFCCCA
USTFCCCA Logo
 
NEW ORLEANS – Both Eastern Illinois men's and women's track teams along with five individual athletes were honored this week as the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association released its All-Academic Teams.  The individuals included Jade Riebold and Britney Whitehead from the women's team.  Men's team members included Bryce BastingMick Viken and Sean Wiggan.

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 of the following athletic standards: for the indoor season, a student-athlete must have finished the regular season ranked in the national top 96 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 48 (collective listing) in a relay event on the official NCAA POP list provided by TFRRS.org; for the outdoor season, a student-athlete must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships (including preliminary rounds).

Riebold was a first team All-American competing in the pole vault this season placing second nationally at the Indoor National Championships and third nationally at the Outdoor National Championships.  Riebold has a 3.38 GPA in recreation administration.

Whitehead competed in middle distance and distance events.  She ended her career as the Panthers record holder in the steeplechase and 1500m run.  Whitehead has a 3.85 GPA in elementary education.

Basting competed in middle distance earning All-Conference honors during the outdoor season.  Basting has a 3.28 GPA in business.

Viken was an All-American competing in the pole vault as he advanced to both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA National Championships.  Viken has a 3.38 GPA in kinesiology.  He was selected an Academic All-American for track & field by CoSIDA.

Wiggan competed in middle distance earning All-Conference honors.  Wiggan has a 3.43 GPA working on his master's in business management.

In addition to individual honors both EIU squads were recognized as top performing Academic Teams with a 3.00 or higher GPA.  The women's team posted a 3.33 team GPA.  The men's team posted a 3.30 team GPA which ranked 11th in the nation.