NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Saginaw Valley State University women's and men's track and field team placed nine athletes on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Teams.   

Saginaw Valley athletes making the women's team were Ashley Meyer (Shepherd, Mich.), Megan Pittoors (Macomb, Mich./Dakota HS), Emily Short (Tawas, Mich./Tawas Area HS), Diamond Taylor (Southfield, Mich.) and Alycia Wright (Macomb Township, Mich./Lutheran High North) who were all members of the record setting Distance Medley Relay team that earned an eighth place finish at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships.  Senior Elizabeth Willford (Gladwin, Mich.) and Lauren Hill (Flat Rock, Mich.) were also named to the team after qualifing for the NCAA Championships.  

A total of 317 student-athletes representing 82 institutions compose the women's 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).

On the men's side, SVSU was represented by two athletes, senior thrower Brian Bott (Buckley, Mich. / Kingsley HS) and senior Jon Wetters (Essexville, Mich. / Garber HS) who qualified in the 3000 Meter Steeple Chase.  

A total of 164 student-athletes representing 64 institutions compose the men's group. Nebraska-Kearney and Grand Valley State each had eight named to the list to lead all squads. For GVSU, it was their second-straight year as the leading team. Findlay and Ashland followed with seven each on the roll.

The GLIAC is the top league in terms of those named to the All-Academic list, having 36. The RMAC (24) and PSAC (23) were next.

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 reached a provisional or automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships in either indoor or outdoor seasons.