Feb. 26, 2008
Lexington, Ky. – University of Kentucky women’s cross country runners Andrea Halasek and Jessica Ortman were named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s National All-Academic Team as announced by its home office in New Orleans, Monday evening.
The junior harriers were two of the 91 female student-athletes bestowed the prestigious honor. The award recognizes student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. Eligibility for the award requires a student-athlete carry a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and completes a minimum 24 semester hours through the 2007 fall term. Additionally, the student-athlete must finish in the top-15 runners or top-10 percent of finishers at their respective NCAA regional meet, or receive All-America honors.
Halasek and Ortman guided the Wildcats to a fourth-place showing at the NCAA Southeast Regional in Louisville last fall earning All-Region honors in the process. The teammates finished the year strong, combining to finish in the top-two for the Cats in each of their last three races and score in each meet of the season.
“Andrea and Jessica are perfect examples of what it means to be a student-athlete,” said assistant head coach for distance and cross country John Mortimer. “They are both very dedicated and responsible people in every aspect of their lives.”
Ortman placed 13th in the regional to lead the Cats in a 6K time of 21:00. The Williamsville, N.Y., native crossed the finish line first for the Blue and White four times in six races. She also earned SEC Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week after placing second overall at the Old Timers Classic. Ortman currently maintains a 3.50 GPA in communications.
Halasek led Kentucky at the SEC Cross Country Championships hosted by the Cats at the Kentucky Horse Park in late October. The Georgetown, Ky., native paced the squad with a 14th-place finish with a 6K time of 21:25 earning an All-SEC second team honor in the process. Halasek majors in elementary education with a current GPA of 3.38.
Kentucky is one of just 19 Division I institutions with more than one representative on the All-Academic team. The Cats join four other conference schools with female athletes represented, with only Tennessee matching UK’s honoree total.
The award winners have had continued success during the track and field indoor season. Halasek’s time of 17:00.67 in the 5,000-meter run at the University of Washington’s Husky Classic is a personal best and ranks seventh all-time at UK. Ortman also notched a seventh-place showing in the UK record books in Seattle with an 800m run that clocked in at 2:09.36.
Halasek, Ortman and the Cats are currently ranked 22nd in the latest USTFCCA indoor track poll. The UK men’s squad stands 14th in last week’s rankings. Both teams will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. this weekend to compete in the SEC Indoor Championships hosted by the University of Arkansas.
Complete coverage of the indoor track and field championships will be available on UKathletics.com.
