July 14, 2008
Ballinger earns academic award
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Mary Ballinger |
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana women's cross country/track and field sophomore
Mary Ballinger (Chesterton, Indiana) was named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Women's Track and Field Team.
Ballinger was one of 222 Division II student-athletes to earn the award after stellar campaign that saw her earn All-America honors in the indoor 5,000 meters.
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 the NCAA Division II Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.
Ballinger, who has a 3.419 GPA in food and nutrition, finished second in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA II Indoor Championships in March. She posted an automatic qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the outdoor season before finishing 10th in the event at the NCAA II Outdoor Championships in May.
As a team, the Screaming Eagles were one of 58 Division II women's track and field programs to be recognized as a USTFCCCA All-Academic program. To be nominated for the honor, a team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
