June 3, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The academic success for the Mizzou track and field program continued on Thursday (June 3) as both Shannon Leinert (Eureka, Mo.) and Leslie Farmer (Jefferson City, Mo.) were honored as CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selections. The Academic All-District honors are the first career awards for both Farmer and Leinert as both are now eligible for Academic All-America honors.
The CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District honors are the first for the Mizzou track and field program since 2007 when Tyler Dailey was honored as an Academic All-American. Leinert landed on the District 7 first team while Farmer landed on the second team. Leinert compiled a 4.00 grade-point-average while continuing to be one of the nation's elite 800m runners in 2010. Leinert was the Big 12 runner-up at 800 meters during the indoor season and clocked the nation's fourth-best time in the event heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships at 2:04.32. Leinert was also an All-Big 12 honoree in the 4x400m relay during the indoor season.
Farmer was equally as impressive in 2010 as she compiled a 3.97 GPA while resetting the school record in the 400m hurdles nearly every week during the outdoor season. She finished as an All-Big 12 honoree in the event and nearly advanced to the NCAA Second Round with a school-record time of 58.92 in the event quarterfinals in Austin, Texas, last weekend. Farmer also earned All-Big 12 honors as a member of the 4x400m relay team during both the indoor and outdoor seasons and was also an All-Big 12 honoree in the 600-yard run during the indoor season.
Nominations and voting for the CoSIDA All-America programs are conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. There is a University Division (Division I programs) and a College Division (DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA programs).
Three Academic All-District teams are chosen in each district, with those on the All-District first teams placed on the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration.
For all the latest on Mizzou track and field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.