USTFCCCA all-academic honors for 2012 season

FAYETTEVILLE – For its work in the classroom during the 2012 season, the University of Arkansas cross country team has received all-academic recognition from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Collectively, Arkansas was named a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team while four Razorbacks—Grace Heymsfield, Paige Johnston, Jessica Kamilos and Diane Robison—earned individual selection.

As a team, the Razorbacks’ cross country team combined for a 3.458 cumulative grade-point average. This marks the fifth USTFCCCA selection for Arkansas, having previously been recognized for the 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011 seasons. During the cross country season, Arkansas was the NCAA South Central Region champion, had a runner-up finish at the SEC Championships and finished in 18th place at the NCAA meet.

Heymsfield carries a 3.75 cumulative GPA with a major in food and human nutrition. She was the Razorbacks’ top national performer with a team high 55th-place finish in her career debut at the NCAA Championships. Throughout Arkansas’ postseason run, Heymsfield was at or near the top of the team’s scoring order. The Elkins, Ark., was a member of the All-SEC First Team and earned all-region honors.

Johnston carries a 3.97 cumulative GPA with a major in social work. At the NCAA Championships, she was Arkansas’ third scorer with a 114th-place finish at the national meet. She finished in 15th place at the NCAA South Central Regional Championship and earned all-region honors. Johnston opened her championship season with a 29th-place finish at the conference meet.

Kamilos carries at 3.58 cumulative GPA with a major in kinesiology/P-12 physical education. Kamilos was an all-region performer with a 12th-place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships. She was also part of the scoring lineup for the Razorbacks at the SEC Championships, crossing the line in 27th place overall and fourth among Arkansas runners.

Robison carries a 3.62 cumulative GPA with a major in food and human nutrition. She ran to a spot on the All-SEC Second Team with an 11th-place finish at the conference meet. Robison was the third runner in Arkansas’ SEC scoring lineup. She also turned in a top-10 finish at the NCAA South Central Regional Championship and earned all-region recognition.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have either earned USTFCCCA All-America status or finished in the NCAA region’s top 15 (or top 10 percent) in 2012. To qualify as an All-Academic Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have started at least five runners at their respective NCAA regional championship.

Arkansas will host the NCAA Indoor Championships (March 8-9) at the Randal Tyson Track Center for the 11th time in program history. For tickets, visit the Razorback Ticket Center on Razorback Road by Baum Stadium, log on to the online ticket office at ArkansasRazorbacks.com or call 800-982-HOGS (4647). Keep up with Arkansas cross country and track and field through the team’s sport-specific RazorbackTF Facebook and Twitter pages.