FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State junior Whitney Carlson was named to the 2010 ESPN the Magazine Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-District VII first team announced on Thursday, June 3.  Senior Heather Zander was selected to the second team.  The Academic All-District teams are selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA).

Carlson earns her second straight Academic All-District honor after maintaining a 4.00 GPA in zoology.  She will compete at the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon and the long jump.  The Buchanan, N.D. native set NDSU records in the heptathlon (5,343) and the long jump (21-1 1/2) this spring and also claimed Summit League titles in the 100 meter hurdles, the 400 meter hurdles and the long jump.  She was an all-league selection in both indoor and outdoor track.  Carlson was the Field Athlete of the Year in indoor track and also claimed indoor Championship Track MVP honors after winning the 200 meters, the long jump and the 60 meter hurdles.

Zander, a Mandan, N.D. native, picks up her first Academic All-District award.  She has a 3.75 GPA in exercise science.  Zander will compete in the heptathlon at the upcoming NCAA Championships and goes into the meet ranked 22nd in the country.  She set a new Summit League record of 5,328 points in the heptathlon en route to winning the event for the second straight year at the league championships.  She also posted a runner-up finish in the 100 meter hurdles with a personal best time of 14.03.  At the league indoor championships, she claimed the pentathlon title and helped the Bison to their third straight title.

Carlson advances to the national ballot for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® track and field/cross country team to be announced Thursday, June 24.  She was a third team selection last year.

To be eligible for ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America® honors, student-athletes must have a 3.30 or better cumulative GPA on a 4-point scale, have sophomore athletic standing, and be a starter or key reserve for their team.

FIRST TEAM

Jenny Barringer, Colorado, Sr., 3.71, Political Science/Economics

Lauren Bonds, Kansas, Sr., 3.93, Political Science

Whitney Carlson, North Dakota State, Jr., 4.00, Zoology

Kristi Dahlheimer, North Dakota, Gr., 4.00, Physical Therapy

Amanda Frohling, South Dakota State, Sr., 4.00, Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy

Lisa Koll, Iowa State, Gr., 3.82, Veterinary Medicine

Shannon Leinert, Missouri, Sr., 4.00, Special Education

Ashley Miller, Nebraska, Jr., 3.81., Nutritional Science/Dietetics

Brittany Morreale, Air Force, Sr., 3.77, Physics

Terry Phillips, Missouri State, Jr., 4.00, Chemistry/Biochemistry

Natalie Willer, Nebraska, Jr., 3.89, Biological Sciences and Psychology

SECOND TEAM

Brooke Andrus, Montana, Sr., 3.95, Journalism

Nicole Braunsdorf, Drake, Sr., 3.73, Journalism

Kellie Callahan, Northern Colorado, Sr., 3.88, Nursing

Brooke Eilers, Iowa, So., 3.64, Speech and Hearing Sciences

Emma Erickson, South Dakota, So., 3.96, Psychology

Leslie Farmer, Missouri, So., 3.97, Biological Sciences

Staci Nelson, Missouri State, Sr., 3.97, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Beverly Ramos, Kansas State, Sr., 3.84, Physical Science/Chemistry

Crystal Schiernbeck, South Dakota, Jr., 4.00, Psychology

Kimber Shealy, Air Force, So., 3.66, History

Ashley Storm, South Dakota State, Sr., 3.99, Nursing

Megan Wheatley, Nebraska, Sr., 3.32, Food Science & Technology

Heather Zander, North Dakota State, Sr., 3.75, Exercise Science