Aug. 11, 2008

EASTON, Pa. - Sophomore Janica Austin (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Central) has been honored by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) by being named to its women's All-Academic Team. This past spring the Biology major posted a 3.57 grade-point average (GPA).

Austin enjoyed a stellar spring season in which she became the 2008 Patriot League Champion in the 100-meter hurdles. Since her arrival on College Hill, she has set school records in the 60-meter hurdles (8.66), 100-meter hurdles (13.89) hurdles and the 200-meter dash (25.51).

She capped her season by representing Lafayette at the 2008 USA Junior Track & Field Championships at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University. Her time of 14.16 in the 100-meter hurdles was just .02 seconds away from putting her into the finals.

The USTFCCCA honors individuals and teams for their academic and athletic accomplishments during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. This year a record 468 Division I women's track and field student-athletes from 140 Division I schools were honored for achievements in sport and academia. Austin was one of four Patriot League female student-athletes to earn this honor.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field Team, an athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and must have met the NCAA Division I regional or national qualifying standard in his or her event.