SPRINGFIELD -- Staci Nelson has been named to the USTFCCCA 2010 Division I Track and Field All-Academic Team, capping a memorable senior season for the MVC champion.
The award is the latest in a long line of accolades to roll in for the Chatham, Ill., native who had a breakthrough final year with the Bears. After capturing the MVC Outdoor Championships 3,000-Meter Steeplechase title (10:41.96), going wire-to-wire during the outdoor season at the MVC's top steeplechaser, Nelson was honored on the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII women's track and field/cross country team.
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. In addition to her steeplechase win, Nelson also finished third with a 3,000-meter run personal best and placed sixth in the mile run (a personal best 4:58.32) at the conference's indoor finale.
She 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.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or participated in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships (including preliminary rounds) in their respective event.
