Two More Huskers Named Academic All-Americans

Lincoln - Rachel Spiry, a senior on the rifle team and Jen French, a junior gymnast, were both named to the Verizon Academic All-American Women's At-Large team released Thursday as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Spiry, who owns a perfect 4.0 GPA in mathematics, was named to the first team after earning second-team honors in 2001. A four-year member of the rifle team, Spiry helped the Huskers qualify for two NCAA Championships in her career. She was named a Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Academic Scholar in 2000 and 2001, and was one of 13 recipients of a $5,000 Big 12 Conference Postgraduate Scholarship. She is the first member of the rifle team to earn academic All-America honors.

French, who owns a 3.96 GPA in exercise science, was named to the second team. A two-time National Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Association Scholastic All-American, French has helped the Huskers to three straight NCAA Super Six appearances as a team, and was a second-team All-American in 2001. A native of Greensboro, N.C., French is the second consecutive NU gymnast to earn academic All-America honors and the fifth Husker under Coach Dan Kendig.

Nebraska has 11 student-athletes earn academic All-America honors in 2001-02, including two who were named academic All-Americans of the Year in their sports.

Nebraska's 2001-02 Academic All-Americans

Meghan Anderson, soccer (second team)

Greichaly Cepero, volleyball (third team)

Jen French, gymnastics (second team)

Shane Komine, baseball (second team)

Jeff Leise, baseball (first team, academic All-American of the Year)

Nancy Metcalf, volleyball (first team, academic All-American of the Year)

Kim Ogee, softball (second team)

Laura Pilakowski, volleyball (second team)

Rachel Spiry, rifle (first team)

Shannon Tanaka, soccer (second team)

Tracey Wistrom, football (first team)