McGruder Named to Chick-fil-A Community Team

Lincoln ? On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Big 12 Conference named Nebraska track and field junior Leandra McGruder to its Winter Chick-fil-A Community of Champions team, formerly known as the Good Works Team. The honor is the second of McGruder’s career, as she was also named to the 2008 spring team.

 

A native of Jefferson City, Mo., McGruder was selected for the team based on her combination of academic success, community service and leadership/sportsmanship. One student-athlete from each of the 12 conference schools were selected, and the winter team is the second of three seasonal teams during the year, with Husker volleyball player Amanda Gates named to the fall team.

 

Away from the track, McGruder has been involved in the community by being a member of SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), participating in the food backpack program and attending the Big 12 Multicultural Leadership Conference.

 

After an outstanding freshman year where she was one of seven Husker freshmen to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, McGruder has been honored as a team captain in both 2008 and 2009. She has earned four Big 12 medals in her two-year Husker career, while currently ranking No. 7 in the Big 12 Conference in the indoor long jump and triple jump in 2009.

 

With her two honors, McGruder joins Jenny Green as the only Nebraska track and field athletes to be named to the team, with Green being honored on the 2007 spring team. Track and field teammate Betsy Miller was named to the 2006 fall team as a member of the Husker cross country team.

 

2008-09 WINTER CHICK-FIL-A COMMUNITY OF CHAMPIONS

Name                          Class      School                    Sport

Tiffany Wesley           Jr.            Baylor                     Softball

Troi Smith                  Sr.           Colorado                Women’s Track and Field

Amanda Nisleit          Sr.           Iowa State               Women’s Basketball

Erin Mertz                   So.          Kansas                   Women’s Swimming & Diving

Jana Lechtenberg     Sr.           Kansas State          Equestrian

Alicia Hatcher            Sr.           Missouri                 Women’s Gym

Leandra McGruder    Jr.            Nebraska                Women’s Track and Field

Russell Czeschin      Sr.           Oklahoma              Men’s Gym

Kendall Horner          Sr.           Oklahoma State     Baseball

Keith Shinaberry        Sr.           Texas                      Baseball

Bryson Graham         Sr.           Texas A&M             Men’s Basketball

Danielle Matthews     So.          Texas Tech            Softball