July 23, 2009

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Brittany Copeland, Matthew Dennish, Danielle Eiler and Jarrett Newby have been selected to the 2009 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I All-Academic Team, according to an announcement by the organization this week.

Copeland, a rising junior, holds a GPA of 3.36 as a recreational therapy major. She qualified for the NCAA Outdoor East Regional by posting a school-record time of 16:33.18 in the 1,500m event at the 115th running of the Penn Relays. Copeland also competes for the Pirates as a cross country runner.

Dennish recently completed his eligibility, obtaining his bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science with a GPA of 3.53. He turned in a time of 1:49.93 in the 800m at the High Point Invitational before clocking in at 1:50.15 at the C-USA Outdoor Championships to claim his spot in the NCAA East Regional.

Owning the school record in the discus, Eiler's career culminated with a third-place showing in the event at the 2009 C-USA Outdoor Championships, solidifying her place at the NCAA East Regional. The McHenry, Ill., native earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and graduated with a GPA of 3.30.

Newby, a rising senior, qualified for the NCAA East Regional in the 800m with a time of 1:50.00 at the High Point Invitational. The physical therapy major currently owns a GPA of 3.62 and will return next season as a team captain.

To qualify for the All-Academic Team, student-athletes must compile a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher and meet either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective events.