Aug. 7, 2008
Lexington, Ky. – Three University of Kentucky track and field athletes earned recognition as members of the 2008 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team the organization announced this week. The trio of Wildcat rising seniors honored includes Andrea Halasek, Jenna Ortman and Jessica Ortman.
To qualify for the award student-athletes must have completed at least two semesters at their institution, compiled a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and attained a qualifying performance standard for either the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships or Outdoor Regional Championships.
At the NCAA Mideast Regional in late May, Halasek placed eighth in the women’s steeplechase competition with a time of 10:56.90. Two weeks prior, the Georgetown, Ky., native set the UK varsity record in the steeplechase crossing the line in 10:35.76 at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This summer Halasek earned the honor of being named to the SEC Good Works team for Community Service for the second consecutive year. In the classroom Halasek maintains a GPA of 3.47 in elementary education.
Jenna Ortman qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional in the 1500 meter run. At the Cardinal Invitational in May, Ortman crossed the line in 4:26.57 – her top time of the year. Ortman also placed eighth in the 1500 meter at the conference outdoor championships. At the SEC Indoor Championships, Ortman and her distance medley relay squad placed second overall and earned all-conference honors. She also placed eighth in the mile at the SEC Indoors with a time of 4:53.39. Ortman is a communications major and maintains a 3.55 GPA.
In June at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Jessica Ortman advanced to the semifinals of the 800 meter run and finished 12th in the nation clocking in at 2:06.54. Ortman qualified for three individual events at the Mideast Regional beating the time standard in the 800m run, 1500m run and the steeplechase. Earlier in the year, she earned All-SEC honors with her twin sister as part of the distance medley relay squad at the conference indoor championships. Off the track Ortman carries a 3.60 GPA in communications.
Last March, Halasek and Jessica Ortman were both named to the USTFCCCA All- Academic Cross Country Team for their accomplishments in the classroom and on the course.
All three Wildcats will be an integral part of the UK women’s cross country team this fall.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the latest track and field updates
