Track’s McNeill Named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® of the Year

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona senior David McNeill was selected as the Male Academic All-America® of the Year in the University division for the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Men's Track and Field and Cross Country Teams, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

He is one of 12 student-athletes in the country to earn the title of Academic All-America of the Year in the university division, joining the likes of Florida's Tim Tebow in football, Kansas' Cole Aldrich in men's basketball and Connecticut's Maya Moore in women's basketball among the individual sport winners.

Two weeks ago, he ran a 13:44.81 in the 5,000-run to claim the outdoor title at Oregon. A repeat selection on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Men's Track and Field and Cross Country University Division first team, he also led the Lumberjacks to a fourth place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championship meet by finishing as national runner-up.

"It is a nice recognition for an area of life where you are putting in just as much time, if not more, into your studies," McNeill said. "I take as much pride in my studies as I do the running. This particular award is a reminder of the fantastic opportunities that I have at Northern Arizona University, and to be on a full scholarship lends me to be thankful to all those who make it possible. This award is a great reminder of all my opportunities that I have to be here in the U.S."

McNeill joins former track standout Rikke Pedersen as the only multiple first-team selections in school history. She earned three consecutive women's at-large Academic All-America® first-team selections from 1997-99.

McNeill, who has a 3.75 GPA, was named the 2010 Mountain Region Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, as well as the 2009 cross country season. He is also one of 10 finalists for the Bowerman Award given to the nation's top track and field athlete.

"It amazing how much dedication he has to not only running but to academics and being a well-rounded individual," said Interim Director of Track and Field Eric Heins. "It says a lot about him and his parents and what is important to him."

The Melbourne, Australia, native won two individual national championships in 2010, winning the indoor and outdoor 5,000m, while finishing second in the 3,000m indoors and at NCAA cross country meet.

His list of academic accolades for the 2009-10 campaign continues to grow. He was named the 2009 Division I Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for cross country by USTFCCCA and was chosen as the Northern Arizona Golden Eagle Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

McNeill, who has exhausted his eligibility in track and field, will return for his senior season in cross country this fall.

He is the second NAU student-athlete this year to be chosen for the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America® squads this year, joining soccer player Kristi Andreassen.

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 15,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

ESPN The Magazine – winner of the 2006 and 2003 National Magazine Award for General Excellence – is a provocative and innovative sports publication. Full of insight, analysis, impact and wit, the oversized biweekly with a circulation of 1.9 million looks ahead to give fans a unique perspective on the world of sports.

For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.

2010 UNIVERSITY DIVISION ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS OF THE YEAR:

Cole Aldrich, Kansas (Men's Basketball)

Chelsea Bramlett, Mississippi State (Softball)

Simon Ejdemyr, New Mexico (Men's Soccer)

Jim Klocke, Southeast Missouri State (Baseball)

Megan Hodge, Penn State (Volleyball)

David McNeill, Northern Arizona (Men's Track/Cross Country)

Maya Moore, Connecticut (Women's Basketball)

Beth Reed, U.S. Naval Academy (Women's Soccer)

Justine Schluntz, Arizona (Women's At-Large)

Jeff Spear, Columbia (Men's At-Large)

Tim Tebow, Florida (Football)

Pheobe Wright, Tennessee (Women's Track/Cross Country)