May 23, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two University of Kentucky track and field athletes have been named to the inaugural Verizon Academic All-America All-District IV Track & Field/Cross Country team. Juniors Simidele Adeagbo and Janet Crawford each earned first-team honors and advance to the national ballot for All-America consideration.

It marks Adeagbo’s second consecutive appearance on the first team, though last year’s selection came on the At-Large team, which consisted of student-athletes from crew, golf, lacrosse, tennis, track, volleyball (men) and water polo (women). It’s Crawford’s first honor. Kentucky and Michigan State each landed two student-athletes on the first team.

Adeagbo not only holds the school record in the triple jump, but earned All-America honors last season after finishing fourth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She has provisionally qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, starting May 29 in Baton Rouge, La. Selections will be made on Wednesday, May 22. A journalism major, Adeagbo is a consistent member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s List. In 2000, she was named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar.

Crawford, a native of Hillsboro, Ky., claimed both the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Championship in the high jump this season and just last weekend set a personal best in the event with her jump of 5-10.75 at the Georgia Tech Invitational. A kinesiology major, Crawford has also been selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s List.

The Verizon Academic All-America Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country Team will be announced June 20.