Two Jayhawks named to Academic All-America teams

2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Track & Field/Cross Country Teams (PDF)

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior Nashia Baker and sophomore Hussain Al Hizam were named to the 2017 Academic All-America® Track & Field/Cross Country Third Teams, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Friday. The honor marked the first Academic All-America honors in the two Jayhawks’ careers and made them the first members of the KU track & field team to claim a spot on the lists since 2013.
 
Both Baker and Al Hizam registered perfect 4.0 grade point averages over the last academic year. Baker graduated last month with a degree in news and information, while Al Hizam just wrapped up his sophomore year in pursuit of a degree in finance. Both were also named to CoSIDA’s Academic All-District First Teams as well as the Academic All-Big 12 First Teams last month.
 
Baker just completed a stellar four-year career with both the cross country and track teams. As a senior this past fall on the cross country trails she was one of her team’s top-seven finishers on three occasions. On the track this spring, she tallied four top-10 finishes, which included a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters at the Kansas Relays.
 
Al Hizam concluded an impressive sophomore campaign, earning First Team All-America honors and claiming the Big 12 title in the pole vault. He also moved to No. 6 on the Jayhawks’ all-time pole vault list with his clearance of 5.60 meters (18-4½) at the Sun Angel Classic in April.
 
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA 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.

Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America® honors on more than 18,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

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