College Sports Information Directors of America

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America  Team
Selected by CoSIDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, June 22, 2006
Contact:  Dick Lipe, Bentley College, 781-891-2334 or rlipe@bentley.edu


        WALTHAM, Mass.-- Anne Bersagel (Greeley, Colo.), a senior from Wake Forest University, and Erin Powell (Beaver City, Neb.), a senior from Nebraska Wesleyan University, earned top honors on the ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerica womens track & field and cross country teams announced Thursday.
        Bersagel earned Academic All-America of the Year honors in the University Division and was named to the Academic All-America first team for a second consecutive year.
        Bersagel, a three-time NCAA cross country All-American, placed 13th at the 2005 NCAA Championships and fourth at the 2005 NCAA Southeast Cross Country Regional Championships. Owner of a 3.94 grade point average as an economics and political science major, Bersagel is a recipient of one of the prestigious 2006 NCAA Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarships.
        Powell, who was also a first-team Academic All-America honoree in 2005, is a seven-time All-America in track and field. She earned the honor three times this year, two resulting from the indoor season. A 12-time Great Lakes Valley Conference champion and 30-time all-conference performer, Powell also earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She carries a 3.98 cumulative grade point average as an accounting major.
        Powell and Bersagel were two of seven athletes selected for the Academic All-America first team for the second straight year, with the others being Caroline Bierbaum (Columbia), Laura Gerraughty (North Carolina), Serena Ramsey (Missouri), Shannon Wommack (Tennessee-Chattanooga) and Elaine Binkley (Denison).
        The other University Division first team members include Angela Homan (Auburn), Jennifer Leatherman (Penn State), Melanie Schorr (Dartmouth), Beth Mallory (Alabama), Dara Altman (Florida), Michelle Prowse (Oklahoma State), Lacy Janson (Florida State), Emily Anderson (Rhode Island), Stacey Cowan (Notre Dame) and Ashley Selig (Nebraska).
        Also named to the College Division first team were Mindy Erb (Ohio Northern), Ellie Fernandez (John Carroll), Natalie Hanson (Concordia (Minn.)), Hailey Harren (Gustavus Adolphus), Christine Hendricks (Calvin), Jenny Irwin (Ferris State), Laura Kline (Kutztown), Becca Kueny (Missouri-Rolla), Kristen Larson (Emporia State), Julie Nemergut (Edinboro), Angie Pfeiffer (Concordia (Minn.)), Kelly Richards (Edinboro), Missy Smith (Calvin) and Meghan Voiland (Augustana (Ill.)).  
        Seven of the 31 first-team selections have perfect 4.00 GPAs for their collegiate career, and 20 of the 94 total selections have been perfect in the classroom. Combined, the average GPA for the 31 first-teamers was a remarkable 3.869.
        The Academic All-America Teams program honors 816 male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom.  Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA (the College Sports Information Directors of America), a 2,000 member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
        To be eligible, a student-athletes must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.  Since the programs inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.
        ESPN The Magazine winner of the 2006 and 2003 National Magazine Award for General Excellence is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized bi-weekly with a circulation of 1.9 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.
        For more information about the Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com or email rlipe@bentley.edu.


NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
Dara Altman        Florida        Sr.        Tampa, Fla.        3.98        Exercise & Sport SciencesFitness Well.
Emily Anderson        Rhode Island        Sr.        Westerly, R.I.        3.97        Political Science & Economics
Anne Bersagel        Wake Forest        Sr.        Greeley, Colo.        3.94        Economics and Political Science
Caroline Bierbaum        Columbia        Sr.        New York, N.Y.        3.74        History
Stacey Cowan        Notre Dame        Sr.        Ferndale, Wash.        3.79        Pre-Professional Studies
Laura Gerraughty        North Carolina        Gr.        Nashua, N.H.        3.65        Biology
Angela Homan        Auburn        Sr.        Spencerville, Ohio        3.90        Exercise Science
Lacy Janson        Florida State        Sr.        Sarasota, Fla.        3.68        Dietetics
Jennifer Leatherman        Penn State        Sr.        Yellville, Ark.        3.93        Recreation, Park and Tourism Mgt.
Beth Mallory        Alabama        Sr.        Ashland, Ohio        3.83        Physical Education
Michelle Prowse        Oklahoma State        Gr.        Kamo, New Zealand        4.00        Health & Human Performance
Serena Ramsey        Missouri        Sr.        Waukesha, Wis.        4.00        Human Development & Family Services
Melanie Schorr        Dartmouth        Sr.        Suffield, Conn.        3.96        Genetic, Cell and Developmental Biology
Ashley Selig        Nebraska        Sr.        Lincoln, Neb.        3.63        Exercise Science
Shannon Wommack        Tennessee-Chattanooga        Gr.        Conyers, Ga.        3.70        Physical Therapy (Doctoral Program)

NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
Amanda Bales        Missouri        Sr.        Bettendorf, Iowa        3.91        Physical Therapy
Maggie Bruggeman-Butler        Missouri-Kansas City        Gr.        Sullivan, Mo.        3.99        Music Education/Psychology
Meghan Chance        Texas-San Antonio        Sr.        San Antonio, Texas        3.97        Psychology
Lindsay Donaldson        Yale        So.        Lincoln, Mass.        3.77        History
Katie Erdman        Michigan        Jr.        Cadillac, Mich.        3.76        English and Spanish
Jeanna Fascione        Kent State        Sr.        North Royalton, Ohio        3.94        Exercise Physiology
Cassie Ficken        Charlotte        Gr.        Conifer, Colo.        3.68        Civil Engineering
Laci Heller        Kansas State        So.        Meriden, Kan.        4.00        Feed Science & Management
Cassie Hunt        Illinois        Jr.        Roachdale, Ind.        3.62        Sport Management
Mandy Jenkins        Mount St. Marys        Jr.        Walkill, N.Y.        3.93        Biochemistry and Chemistry
Michele Jett        Southeast Missouri State        Sr.        House Springs, Mo.        4.00        Nursing
Sharonda Johnson        Charlotte        Sr.        Raleigh, N.C.        3.87        Chemistry
Gunild Kreb        Virginia Tech        Gr.        Winterbach, Germany        4.00        Health Management/Educ.-Health Prom.
Andrea Luebbe        Lehigh        Sr.        Bozeman, Mont.        4.00        Earth and Environmental Science
Stephanie Madia        Notre Dame        Sr.        Wexford, Pa.        3.48        Finance
Becka Mansheim        South Dakota State        Jr.        Brookings, S.D.        4.00        Nursing
Sara OMara        Illinois-Chicago        Sr.        Hinsdale, Ill.        4.00        Pre-Elementary Education
Amarachi Ukabam        Southern Illinois        Sr.        Maryland Heights, Mo.        3.72        Health Education

NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
Kirsten Andrews        Navy        Jr.        New Holland, Pa.        3.88        Quantitative Economics
Jennifer Barton        Clemson        Sr.        Toledo, Ohio        3.91        Biological Sciences
Brittany Brockman        Baylor        Jr.        Houston, Texas        3.86        Health Science Studies
Keira Carlstrom        American        Sr.        Oakton, Va.        3.51        Mathematics
Jamie Farley        Fresno State        Sr.        Clovis, Calif.        3.97        Mass Communication & Journalism
Naja Ferjan        Brown        Jr.        Ljubljana, Slovenia        3.94        Neuroscience
Amber Ferner        Purdue        Gr.        West Lafayette, Ind.        3.63        Veterinary Science
Jenny Green        Nebraska        So.        Grand Island, Neb.        3.83        Advertising
Katie Gwyther        Quinnipiac        Sr.        Madison, N.H.        3.65        Occupational Therapy
Alyson Kohlmeier        Michigan        So.        Sarnia, Ontario        3.97        Undeclared
Michelle Kvernmo        Wyoming        Sr.        Hookstown, Pa.        4.00        Kinesiology and Health Promotion
Kate Neeper        USC        Sr.        Parker, Colo.        3.98        International Relations & Spanish
Penny Splichal        Arkansas        Sr.        Dickinson, N.D.        3.87        Recreation
Melissa Stewart        Duquesne        Sr.        Indiana, Pa.        3.97        Health Management Systems

NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
Elaine Binkley        Denison        Jr.        Columbus, Ohio        4.00        Biology
Mindy Erb        Ohio Northern        Sr.        Wapakoneta, Ohio        4.00        Early Childhood Education
Ellie Fernandez        John Carroll        Gr.        Mayfield Village, Ohio        3.68        Education
Natalie Hanson        Concordia (Minn.)         Sr.        Rogers, Minn.         3.78        Environmental Studies/Biology
Hailey Harren        Gustavus Adolphus        Jr.        Cold Spring, Minn.        3.77        Political Science and Management
Christine Hendricks        Calvin        Sr.        Cincinnati, Ohio        3.68        Mathematics/Actuarial Science
Jenny Irwin        Ferris State        Sr.        Scottville, Mich.        3.83        Plastics Engineering Technology
Laura Kline        Kutztown        Jr.        Reading, Pa.        4.00        Special Education
Becca Kueny        Missouri-Rolla        Jr.         Boonville, Mo.        4.00        Ceramic Engineering
Kristen Larson        Emporia State        Sr.        Scandia, Kan.        4.00        History
Julie Nemergut        Edinboro        Sr.        Youngstown, Ohio         3.90        Special Educ./Elementary Educ.
Angie Pfeiffer        Concordia (Minn.)        Sr.        Colman, S.D.         3.91        English Writing/Pre-Dentistry
Erin Powell        Nebraska Wesleyan        Sr.        Beaver, City, Neb.        3.98        Accounting
Kelly Richards        Edinboro        Sr.        Edinboro, Pa.        3.97        Health & Physical Education
Missy Smith        Calvin        Sr.        Ada, Mich.        3.92        German/Asian Studies
Meghan Voiland        Augustana (Ill.)        Jr.        Yorkville, Ill.        3.83        Biology & Pre-Physical Therapy

NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
Angie Aguilar        Abilene Christian        Jr.        Midland, Texas        3.58        Exercise Science
Keidra Anderson        Hamline        Sr.        Minocqua, Wis.        3.75        Math
Natalie Badowski        Washington (Mo.)        Jr.        Buffalo Grove, Ill.        3.95        Biology/Philosophy-Neuroscience-
                                         Psychology
Molly Bauman        St. Thomas (Minn.)        Sr.        Coon Rapids, Minn.        3.84        Psychology
Iashia Castle        Missouri Southern State        Sr.         Kansas City, Mo.        3.93        Accounting/Business Management
Meggie Feran        Ohio Wesleyan        Sr.        Kirtland, Ohio        3.97        Psychology/Journalism
Whitney Heavner        Lenoir-Rhyne        Sr.        Morganton, N.C.        4.00        English/Biology
Adrienne (Musu) Jackson-Buckner        Oneonta State        Sr.         Buffalo, N.Y.        3.77        English
Mandy Kaempf        Alaska Anchorage        Jr.         Steinbach-Hallenberg, Germany        3.84        Sociology
Jenna Mitchler        Wisconsin-Stevens Point         Sr.        Kaukauna, Wis.        3.59        Education
Ashlee Robertson        Oneonta State        Gr.        Mechanicville, N.Y.        3.82        Secondary Education/English
Jodie Schoppmann        Potsdam        Sr.        Levittown, N.Y.        3.97        Music Education/Music Performance
Jessica Trautwein        Minnesota St. Moorhead         Jr.        Fargo, N.D.        4.00        Math Education
Katie Wieferich        The College of Wooster        Jr.        Marietta, Ohio        3.80        Chemistry

NAME        SCHOOL        YR        HOMETOWN        GPA        MAJOR
DeeDee Arnall        Pacific        Sr.        Warrenton, Ore.         3.73        Exercise Science and Biology
Linda Blake        Seattle Pacific        Sr.        Richland, Wash.        3.94        Chemistry
Rachel Bloom        Tufts        Sr.        Sharon, Mass.        3.91        Psychology/Clinical
Whitney Calvert        Loras        Jr.        Pekin, Ill.        3.89        Bio-Chemistry/Psychology
Laurel Cook        Embry-Riddle (Fla.)        Jr.        Ventura, Calif.        4.00        Aeronautical Science
Esther Erb        Case Western Reserve        So.         Richmond, Va.        3.80        Cognitive Science/Music
Stephanie Green        Olivet        Sr.        Leroy, Mich.        4.00        Business Administration
Megan Kielar        Wisconsin-Whitewater        Sr.         McHenry, Ill.        3.91        Elementary Education
Shannon Klick        Widener        Sr.        Lansdowne, Pa.         3.98        Education & Psychology
Charise Parker        Florida Tech        Sr.        Western Springs, Ill.         4.00        Business with Environmental Study
Elisa Pedersen        Grove City        Sr.        Santa Rosa, Calif.        3.80        Accounting/Spanish
Kelli Peirano        Otterbein        Jr.        Gahanna, Ohio        3.97        Middle Childhood Education
Julia Rudd        Wisconsin-LaCrosse        Sr.         Oshkosh, Wis.        3.57        Sports Management
Jessica Selby        Missouri Southern State        So.         Galena, Mo.        4.00        Communications
Liz Terelle        Ohio Northern        Sr.        Mentor, Ohio         4.00        Exercise Physiology
Jacqueline Wells        Chadron State        Sr.        Albion, Neb.        3.83        Human Biology
Natalie Wood        Texas Lutheran        Jr.        Cibolo, Texas        3.92        Mathematics and Kinesiology