AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Trine's Sam Gilly has been named to the 2016 Academic All-America® Division III Track & Field/Cross Country Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Gilly (St. Joseph, Ill. / St. Joseph-Ogden) was recognized as a Second Team Academic All-American®. The award capped off Gilly's career with his first career Academic All-America® accolades. The senior earned All-America honors in the Indoor Track and Field season after placing eighth in the weight throw at the national meet. The 2016 Academic All-America® Division III Track & Field/Cross Country Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.
In addition to his performance in throwing events, Gilly excelled in the classroom at Trine with a 3.91 GPA in sport management. Gilly was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll three times for achieving at least a 3.50 GPA and earning a varsity letter in a MIAA-sponsored sport. Gilly was one of four Trine students to score in the 90th percentile or higher on the Major Field Test, a national assessment for students in the business field. Gilly was also honored on Trine University's president's list numerous times.
In addition to All-America honors, Gilly was also named the MIAA's Most Valuable Field Athlete after leading the Thunder to the conference's inaugural indoor championship. Gilly's indoor campaign also included USTFCCCA All-Region honors and recognition as a MIAA Field Athlete of the Week. Gilly graduated as the program's record-holder in the weight throw.
The outdoor season also saw Gilly earn USTFCCCA All-Region honors as well as All-MIAA First Team recognition. He was the conference's champion in the hammer throw.
The CoSIDA Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2015-16 Division III Academic All-America® teams program.