Two More Huskers Named Academic All-Americans

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 (as of June 13)

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)