Ferris State's Anna Rudd Caps Stellar Season As First Team Academic All-American
Official Release
Big Rapids, Mich. - National Champion distance runner Anna Rudd (Leslie) of the Ferris State University track and field/cross country program has capped a stellar season by being named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-America First Team.
The 2013 Capital One Academic All-America Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. The teams are nominated and chosen by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Previously, Rudd achieved Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team status to advance to the national ballot.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 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 program's 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.
A total of 15 women's track and field/cross country competitors were honored on the All-America First Team in Division II with 15 more named to both the second and third-team squads.
This year marks the second consecutive year in which at least one member of the FSU women's track and field/cross country program has earned first-team Academic All-America status as former distance runners Tina Muir and Shelby Janutol were both recognized with the same honor a year ago.
Rudd etched her name in the record books this year as she claimed the NCAA Division II National Championship in the women's 5,000 meters at the national indoor meet. She became only the second-ever women's track and field individual national champion by winnning the event and also earned runner-up honors in the 3,000 meters on the national level before redshirting during the outdoor campaign.
Earlier this season, she led the Bulldogs as she claimed two individual event titles at the GLIAC Indoor Championships held in Allendale (Feb. 23-24) en route to being tabbed as both the Women's Track Athlete of the Meet. Rudd ran a meet-record 16:42.95 over 5000 meters at the league indoor meet and also won a title at 3000 (9:37.06) meters.
In addition, she was named to the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Midwest Region Team in three events (mile, 3,000 and 5,000) and also honored as this year's recipient of the USTFCCCA Midwest Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year honor for her accomplishments.
The Capital One Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2012-13 D-II Academic All-America teams program.