Track & Field Athlete Monique Kelly Earns All-Academic Team Honors from the USTFCCCA

2012 Aug 8

Monique Kelly of St. Andrew, Jamaica, was among the members of Johnson C. Smith University's women's track and field team to earn the third highest grade point average in the nation amongst all Division II programs en route to receiving All-Academic Team status from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

A total of 83 institutions earned the distinction as a result of a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better. Johnson C. Smith University represents the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as the only institution from the conference to receive this honor.

Six Golden Bulls from the women's track & field team collected All-Academic Award as scholar student-athletes. Junior Naffene Briscoe (St. Catherine, Jamaica), senior Rosemarie Carty (St. Andrew, Jamaica), senior Sasha-Gay Cunningham (Clarendon, Jamaica), freshman Samantha Elliott (Kingston, Jamaica), senior Monique Kelly (St. Andrew, Jamaica), and sophomore Danielle Williams (St. Andrew, Jamaica) were the six JCSU honorees.

Seniors Rosemarie Carty and Monique Kelly have been recognized their entire collegiate career with All-Academic status. This is a second time honor for Briscoe, Cunningham, and Williams. And of course, as a freshman, Elliott earns her first All-Academic distinction. As a collective team, JCSU has been acknowledged with All-Academic Team status the last three seasons.

"This is a great distinction for our program; these young ladies have worked very diligently in the classroom and this honor is just as important as All-American status," said JCSU head track and field coach Lennox Graham. "I'm proud of our student-athletes, who earned All-Academic status and our team, I'm confident our men's team will be recognized as well."

Grand Valley State University was named as the Scholar Team of the Year in Division II for both 2012 indoor and outdoor seasons. GVSU earned the distinction as a result of being the highest-placing team with at least a 3.00-cumulative GPA at the most recent NCAA indoor and outdoor championship, respectively.

Cal Poly Pomona reported the best cumulative team GPA among all NCAA divisions with a 3.80 tally for their women's program. Rounding out the top three of DII women's programs are Charleston (W.Va.) (3.72) and Johnson C. Smith (3.63).

About Johnson C. Smith University

Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is the premier independent urban liberal arts university located in the heart of Charlotte, N.C. It offers a progressive liberal arts curriculum with 23 fields of study to more than 1,600 students. The University prepares students for success through excellent academic programs with a focus on servant leadership, civic engagement and global responsibility. For more information, visit us at www.jcsu.edu or on our social networks:

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