NEW ORLEANS, LA. -- The Trine University women's track and field team was recognized for its efforts in the classroom in 2016-17 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as an All-Academic Team selection. In addition, Kara Eck (Auburn, Ind. / DeKalb) earned individual All-Academic accolades. [Team List] [Women's List]
In order to be eligible for the team award, a program must have at least a 3.00 cumulative team GPA. The Thunder women posted a team cumulative GPA of 3.519 to rank 33rd of 183 total women's teams who garnered the award.
In addition, Eck was one of 608 women from around the country at the NCAA Division III level to earn individual All-Academic honors.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team as an individual, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30, and have competed in the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor Championships or finished the season ranked in the national top-35 in an individual event or in the top-25 in a relay event.
Eck had a standout track season, both indoors and outdoors, during the 2016-17 campaign. The junior made her third consecutive appearance in the Outdoor Track and Field National Championships last spring and also earned MIAA Field MVP honors. She broke the conference record in the hammer throw at the MIAA meet and also set a new school mark in the event.
Eck earned All-America honors during the indoor season after placing seventh in the weight throw at the Indoor Track and Field National Championships. She won MIAA Field MVP honors for her performance during the indoor season as well, giving her the season sweep of the conference's top field honors.
Also during the 2016-17 season, Eck was recognized with five MIAA weekly awards. She was also a USTFCCCA All-Region honoree during both the indoor and outdoor seasons.