July 14, 2009

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina University track and field placed five student-athletes (three from the men's team and two from the women) on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association 2009 (USTFCCCA) Men's and Women's Division I Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Athletes of the Year as announced Tuesday. Matt Evans, Kevin Johnson and Jamie Van Pelt made up the selections from the men's team while the women were represented by Emma Bowers and Shayln McMichael.

Johnson, Evans and McMichael were all named to the 2009 Academic All-Southern Conference Team for both indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Both Bowers and Van Pelt earned their respective SoCon Freshmen of the Year plaudits in the outdoor season.

At the Southern Conference Indoor Championships Evans was named Most Outstanding Field Performer, Indoor All-Conference and was named Most Valuable Outdoor Field Performer.

Johnson was an All-Southern Conference selection at the Indoor and Outdoor Championships. McMichael was an outdoor track and field all-conference selection.

The USTFCCCA honors Division I individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event.