Release courtesy of Tom Lewis USTFCCCA Communications Manager

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NEW ORLEANS – Hillsdale’s Amanda Putt, Adams State’s Kristen McGlynn, Cal State LA’s Calista Lyon, and Grand Valley State’s Kristen Hixon, Rachel Patterson, and Betsy Graney were named as Scholar Athletes of the Year in Division II for the 2012 women’s track & field seasons by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The group represents collegiate track & field’s best in both athletics and academics. In addition, 317 student-athletes were tapped as USTFCCCA All-Academic honorees.

Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards are determined from among those who earned All-Academic status and placed highest in individual events at the most recent NCAA Championships. Those who earn multiple individual championship titles rank higher in the tie-breaking process, and cumulative GPA is weighed as the final tiebreaker to establish a winner. Separate awards are given to track athletes and field athletes for the indoor and outdoor seasons, resulting in four categories.

Indoor Track Scholar Athlete of the Year – Amanda Putt, Hillsdale

Putt, the USTFCCCA National Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, was the NCAA DII Indoor Champion of the 800 Meters and Mile this season. The native of Adrian, Mich., carries a 3.79 cumulative GPA.

Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year – Kristen Hixson, Grand Valley State

A native of Remus, Mich., Hixson was the indoor national champion in the pole vault and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.95.

Outdoor Track Scholar Athletes of the Year –

Three NCAA outdoor champions had 4.00 cumulative GPAs through the spring semester, forcing a three-way tie for the outdoor track award.

Rachel Patterson, Grand Valley State

Patterson, a native of Rochester, Mich., was the NCAA outdoor champ in the 10,000 meters. She also placed third at the outdoor meet in the 5000 meters.

Betsy Graney, Grand Valley State

Graney, the USTFCCCA National Track Athlete of the Year for the outdoor season, was the NCAA champ in the steeplechase and placed sixth in the 5000 meters. She is a native of Harper Woods, Mich.

317 Earn All-Academic Status

In addition to the Scholar Athletes of the Year, the USTFCCCA also announced the women’s 2012 Division II All-Academic Track & Field team. A total of 317 student-athletes representing 82 institutions compose the group. Grand Valley State led the way nationally for at least the third-straight time with 24 named to the All-Academic Team. Angelo State, Winona State, and U-Mary followed with 11.

Leading all leagues was the GLIAC with 62 on the list. They were followed by the MIAA (44) And PSAC (32).

USTFCCCA 2012 Division II Track & Field All-Academic Honorees, WOMEN