June 5, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois junior Meghan Ginter was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Track and Field/Cross Country team, Thursday, as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.

"From the time she has walked onto campus, Meghan has been very determined athletically and academically," NIU head coach Connie Teaberry said. "She sets very high standards for herself academically and goes out to accomplish them every semester."

Ginter (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) has earned a 3.93 cumulative grade point average while majoring in kinesiology.

"Meghan is one of our highest academic performers on the team, and I'm very proud of her." Teaberry said. "It's a huge accomplishment, and it's well deserved."

On the track, Ginter won the 5,000-meter run at Disney Relays (3/8) in 19:04.24 and was also a member of the distance medley relay team and 4x1,600 teams that earned victories at that event. She took first in the 1,500-meter run at the Lee Calhoun Memorial in 5:14.16, and placed fourth in the steeplechase at the Wisconsin Twilight (5/10) with a 11:42.94 mark.

The award is Ginter's first all-district honor, and compliments Academic All-MAC Cross Country and Track and Field selections from 2006-07.

To qualify for an all-distric nomination, a student-athlete must be a key contributor with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA. The nominee must also be at least a sophomore in athletic and academic standing at her current institution. Transfer and graduate students are also eligible, but must have been at their current university for at least one year.