Jan. 4, 2007

Cullowhee, N.C. - Twenty-one Western Carolina University student-athletes were today named to the Southern Conference's TIAA-CREF Fall All-Academic Team for the 2006 fall seasons. The Catamount women's soccer team placed a conference-high 12 on the honorary squad, with the WCU football, women's cross country, and volleyball teams, each receiving three recognitions apiece.

A total of 238 student-athletes representing all 11 SoCon schools were honored. The breakdown by sport was 62 women's soccer players, 50 women's cross country runners, 45 football players, 32 volleyball players, 26 men's soccer players and 23 from men's cross country. The group posted an combined 3.55 grade point average.

Furman led the league with 30 individuals named to the all-academic team, with Appalachian State and Wofford each tallying 27. Western, which competes in all but one eligible sport in the fall (men's soccer), ranked sixth in the league with 21.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average entering the fall season and have competed in at least one-half of their team's competitions during the fall.

This is the fourth year that the Southern Conference has named an All-Academic Team by season. The all-academic teams are made possible by a grant from the Southern Conference's Education Partner, TIAA-CREF.

Football
Drew Walker, So., Lenoir, N.C., 3.89 GPA - Criminal Justice
Marcus Brown, So., Cary, N.C., 3.82 GPA - Undeclared
Justin Johnson, So. Seymour, Tenn., 3.37 GPA - Criminal Justice

Volleyball
Krista Neumann, Sr., Downer's Grove, Ill., 3.97 GPA - Physical Education
Meredith Harmon, Jr., Villa Hills, Ky., 3.61 GPA - Physical Education
Meghan Boyle, Sr., Ancaster, Ontario, 3.22 GPA - Elementary Education

Women's Cross Country
Jenna Hester, So., Statesville, N.C., 3.45 GPA - Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Ann Wagner, So., Raleigh, N.C., 3.34 GPA - Athletic Training
Kerrie Savery, Jr., Palm Harbor, Fla., 3.32 GPA - Biology

Women's Soccer
Melissa Berry, Jr., Matthews, N.C., 3.92 GPA - Sport Management
Bailey Culp, Jr., Richmond, Va., 3.87 GPA - International Business
Keevy Harris, Sr., Sophia, N.C., 3.85 GPA - Social Work
Buki Baruwa, So., Cary, N.C., 3.65 GPA - Criminal Justice
Leah Daino, Jr., Statesville, N.C., 3.65 GPA - Physical Education
Alesha Row, Sr., Fargo, N.D., 3.65 GPA -Criminal Justice
Arlan Whittle, So., Peachtree City, Ga., 3.65 GPA - Undeclared
Heather Dittmer, Jr., Marietta, Ga., 3.55 GPA - Spanish and Business Admin. & Law
Meghan Reilly, Sr., Lubbock, Texas, 3.55 GPA - Communications
Rebekah Mumm, Jr., Asheville, N.C., 3.54 GPA - Business Administration & Law
Lauren Atkinson, Jr., Marietta, Ga., 3.41 GPA - Communications
Tammy Jones, Sr., Pink Hill, N.C., 3.34 GPA - Athletic Training