This week, CoSIDA will be announcing the four 2015-16 Academic All-America of the Year honorees, each representing his or her division (College Division, NCAA Division III, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division I). The four selectees were chosen from all the sport "Academic All-America of the Year" recipients over the course of the academic year.
Mon., July 18:
College Division AAA of the Year Web Release PDF doc
Tue., July 19:
Division III Division III AAA of the Year below
PDF doc
Wed., July 20: Division II AAA of the Year PDF doc
Thur., July 21: Division I AAA of the Year PDF doc
AUSTIN, Texas- Track & field and cross country standout Maryann Gong of MIT has been named as the 2015-16 CoSIDA Division III Academic All-America® of the Year, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
“I am truly honored to be named the Division III CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year. This award represents what I strive for as a student-athlete. Although balancing academics and athletics is time-consuming and difficult, I've never wanted to sacrifice one for the other. My goal is to perform to the best of my ability in everything I do. This award encourages me to keep trying my best and I hope it encourages others do the same,” said Gong.
Gong, a junior at MIT, is a 13-time NCAA Division III All-American in cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field. In cross country in 2015, Gong won three individual invitational titles, including a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship and a first-place finish at the NCAA Division III New England Cross Country Championship. She was 16th at the 2015 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship, helping lead MIT to a third-place finish.
“Maryann Gong is an 11-time track All American and 3,000 meter national champion, has earned the Division
III Female Athlete of the indoor season in 2015 and holds a 4.0 G.P.A. throughout her three years at MIT. Being selected as the 2016 Division III CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year is a much deserved honor for the three-sport captain. She is the definition of student-athlete and we are proud she is a member of the MIT cross country/track & field program,” said Halston Taylor, Director of MIT cross country and track & field.
Gong earned three All-American nods at the 2016 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. She finished second in the one-mile run and third in the 3,000-meter run at nationals. Her third All-American recognition at the meet came as a member of MIT’s Distance Medley Relay (DMR) squad that finished sixth.
When Gong isn't running, she is an SQA Intern at A4 Data Technology and is completing research on using machine learning to prescreen for language developmental disorders in children.
“Maryann is very deserving of this incredible honor. She is quietly competitive and sets high expectations for herself to excel. Our athletic department takes a great deal of pride in both the academic and athletic successes of our student-athletes and to have Maryann represent MIT in receiving this prestigious recognition makes all of us very proud,” said Julie Sorierio, Director of Athletics
In addition, junior track & field and cross country runner
Leah Esposito of Carroll College (Mont.) was selected CoSIDA College Division Academic All-America® of the Year winner.
2015-16 CoSIDA SPORT-BY-SPORT DIVISION III ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA® OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
Name Sport Cl. Hometown Major, G.P.A.
Courtney Allen, Messiah Softball Sr. Lancaster, Pa. Accounting, 3.96
Logan Andryk, Milwaukee School M. Soccer Sr. Hartland, Wis. Biomolecular engineering, 3.80
of Engineering
Glenn Balbus, John Hopkins M. At-Large Sr. New Fairfield, Conn. Mechanical engineering, 4.00
Nicci Bermudes, Aurora W. Soccer Jr. San Diego, Calif. Health science (Biology,
chemistry, physiology), 3.92
Mitchell Black, Tufts M. Track/XC Sr. Brunswick, Maine Mechanical engineering, astrophysics, 3.72
Conner Combs, East Texas Baptist Baseball Jr. Southlake, Texas Business, 3.94
Maryann Gong, MIT W. Track/XC Jr. Livermore, Calif. Electrical engineering, computer science, 4.00
Margaret Guo, MIT W. At-Large Sr. San Diego, Calif. Electrical engineering, computer science
(Bioengineering), 4.00
Jared Holmquist, Trine M. Basketball Sr. Reed City, Mich. Accounting, 3.90
Maggie Kamp, Calvin Volleyball Sr. Orland Park, Ill. Business (studio art), 3.91
Jess Rheinheimer, Eastern Mennonite W. Basketball Sr. Manheim, Pa. Nursing (history), 3.95
Hank Spencer, Mount Union Football Sr. Greencastle, Ind. Computer science, 3.99
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Schwartz, North Dakota State University
Academic All-America
® Committee - Vice Co-Chair for Publicity/Communications
jeff.schwartz@ndsu.edu
(701) 231-8332