June 5, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State track and field junior Scott Krapf and sophomore Michelle Brunk were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V men's and women's track and field/cross country teams, as voted on by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Thursday. Krapf was a first-team selection, while Brunk earned second-team honors.
Illinois State head track and field coach Elvis Forde feels Krapf and Brunk are deserving of the award for the success they have earned academically and athletically.
"Both individuals are worthy of this honor," said coach Forde. "They both have a strong commitment in the classroom and in track and field/cross country. I feel they are very deserving of this honor."
Krapf competed in five meets for the Redbirds and was the top-finisher on two occasions during the cross country season. He finished the cross country season with the fastest 10K time for Illinois State and the Missouri Valley Conference with a 32:09.20 and placed 27th at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship.
The Danville, Ill., native was also named to the 2008 All-MVC Cross Country and All-Academic teams. Krapf placed seventh with a time of 24:54.22 in the 8K championship race at the 2008 State Farm MVC meet. Krapf also had success during the indoor track season, where he finished second in the 3,000-meter run and third in the 5,000-meter run at the State Farm MVC Indoor Championships to earn All-MVC honors in both events.
Krapf was also the Valley's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) representative for the NCAA, while serving as the SAAC President at Illinois State.
"Scott's strong academic performance has been evident since his first year at ISU," said coach Forde. "Scott has continued that academic performance during his last three years at Illinois State. Scott is involved with other organizations, and it amazes me how well he does in the classroom and athletics. "
Brunk set a new personal-best time in the 5K with a time of 18:09.50 and earned a 10th-place finish at the State Farm MVC Cross Country Championships. She also recorded a personal-best time in the 6K with a time 22:48.50 at the Pre-Nationals held in Terre Haute, Ind. Brunk participated in the NCAA Midwest Regional in the 6K and recorded a 23:12.60.
The Palatine, Ill., native set a season-best in the mile at the Iowa State Classic with at time of 5:06.68. Brunk won the Valley Championships with a time of 2:10.31 to break the Marks Field track record at Indiana State.
"Michelle is very focused in the classroom and in the sports world as well," said coach Forde. "Michelle focuses in the classroom because she knows her lifelong dreams will come from the classroom, but she uses that focus in athletics as well."
Brunk was a 2008 All-MVC Cross Country and All-Academic teams selection. Brunk earned All-MVC honors in the distance medley relay that finished third at the State Farm MVC Conference Championships with a time of 11:45.93.
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