Sophomore Terry Phillips and senior Staci Nelson have been named to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII women's track and field/cross country teams, it was announced Thursday. Phillips earned first-team accolades, while Nelson was a second-team selection.
Phillips flourished in all seasons for the Bears, becoming the MVC champion in both cross country and the indoor 3,000-meter run. Phillips' 9:35.40 time to win the 3,000-meter run was a personal best and established her as the event's third all-time performer at MSU. Phillips collected event wins at the Iowa State Classic (3,000m) and the Eastern Illinois University Mega Meet (3,000m and mile) before missing the outdoor season with an injury. Phillips was equally successful off the track. The Kansas City, Mo., native was one of ten student-athletes to receive the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award and was named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic team. She is a two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete and has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in Chemistry/Biochemistry.
A three-time all-MVC performer, Nelson leaves MSU as the fourth all-time performer in both the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:35.43 at the Drake Relays) and the 3,000-meter run (9:42.83). She saved her best 2010 performances for the conference meets, winning the steeplechase title at the MVC Outdoor Championships (10:41.96) after finishing third with a 3,000-meter run personal best and placing sixth in the mile run (a personal best 4:58.32) at the conference's indoor finale. The Chatham, Ill., native was an NCAA Outdoor Preliminary Round Qualifier in the steeplechase, finishing 23rd at the national meet (10:45.16). Nelson has a 3.97 cumulative GPA in Communication Sciences & Disorders and was also named an MVC Scholar-Athlete.
Phillips' first-team honor advances her to the national ballot, with voting to begin June 8, and gives her a chance to become an Academic All-American.
An athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 and have a sophomore academic standing in order to receive all-district recognition.
