EVANSTON, Ill. – Wildcats senior Elena Barham has earned 2016 Cross Country/Track & Field Academic All-America Third Team honors, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Friday. The awards recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined excellence in the classroom and in competition.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, earlier this year Barham was announced as the first Northwestern student since 2001 to earn a prestigious fellowship with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Already recognized as an Academic All-District honoree, she graduated earlier this month with degrees in political science and philosophy.
Barham capped her college running career with a personal record in the 10,000m race earlier this month at the Dr. Keeler Invitational hosted by North Central College, shaving nearly 11 seconds off her personal best with a 35:41.78 in the final event of the season for Northwestern.
The Madison, Wisconsin, native also turned in the Wildcats top times at 5000m (17:35.8) and 6000m (21:17.2) during 2015 cross country season, as well as the fastest Northwestern time at 3000m in indoor track.
Of the 45 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I Women's Track Field/Cross Country team members, 26 have grade-point averages of 3.90 or higher including Barham.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
For more information about the Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, earlier this year Barham was announced as the first Northwestern student since 2001 to earn a prestigious fellowship with Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Already recognized as an Academic All-District honoree, she graduated earlier this month with degrees in political science and philosophy.
Barham capped her college running career with a personal record in the 10,000m race earlier this month at the Dr. Keeler Invitational hosted by North Central College, shaving nearly 11 seconds off her personal best with a 35:41.78 in the final event of the season for Northwestern.
The Madison, Wisconsin, native also turned in the Wildcats top times at 5000m (17:35.8) and 6000m (21:17.2) during 2015 cross country season, as well as the fastest Northwestern time at 3000m in indoor track.
Of the 45 CoSIDA Academic All-America Division I Women's Track Field/Cross Country team members, 26 have grade-point averages of 3.90 or higher including Barham.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
For more information about the Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.