Tech places four on Women's Academic All-ACC squad

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech women’s track and field squad placed four athletes on the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field ACC All-Academic Team, Commissioner John D. Swofford announced on Wednesday.

Juniors Kristi Castlin and Asia Washington represent the sprinters on the academic team for Tech, with each receiving All-ACC academic honors for the third consecutive year. Both achieved All-America honors in the outdoor season, as Castlin placed second at the NCAA Championships in the 100-meter hurdles and Washington took fourth in the 400-meter hurdles.

Senior Natalie Sherbak also made her third appearance on the ACC academic squad. The Virginia Beach, Va., native qualified for the national meet in the 10,000-meter run after provisionally qualifying in the event at the Stanford Invitational with a time of 34:11.50. Sherbak also placed third in the 5,000 meters at the ACC Championships.

Rounding out the list, junior Kelly Phillips achieved ACC all-academic accolades for the second time. Phillips finished sixth in the pole vault at the ACC Championships and earned a bid to the NCAA East Regional.

Florida State placed eight track and field performers on the academic team, followed by North Carolina with seven, Georgia Tech with five, and Clemson and Virginia Tech with four. The Seminoles’ Susan Kuijken received the ACC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Athlete of the Year award for the season.

To be considered for the All-ACC Academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 for both the most recent semester and for their career.