June 3, 2005
ORLANDO - Former UCF standout Astrid Claessens was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Women's Track and Field/Cross Country First Team by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced on Friday.
Nominees for the award must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing, have legitimate athletic credentials and carry at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point-average. None of the 10 members of the first team had below a 3.6 GPA and six earned a perfect 4.0.
A captain on the track and cross country teams, Claessens was the top runner for UCF throughout the fall and claimed her first career win at the Clermont Meet. She also took home all-conference honors after finishing seventh at the Atlantic Sun Championship.
In the spring, Claessens competed in the middle distance events and broke the school record in the 1500m with a fifth place showing at the A-Sun Championship. She is currently listed second all-time at UCF in the 3000m steeplechase, while she is third in the school record books in the 3000m, 800m and the indoor mile.
A legal studies major who graduated in six semesters, Claessens will attend the New England School of Law in Boston, Mass. this fall.
"Astrid certainly represented the Golden Knights well in her six semesters at UCF. I can't think of anyone who deserves the honor more," said Marcia Mansur-Wentworth, who is currently in her 10th year at the helm of the school's cross country and track programs. "I am very proud of her."
Those selected to the first team are eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be released on June 23.