April 7, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State continues to perform well in the classroom as 13 student-athletes from its winter sports were named academic all-Western Athletic Conference it was announced on Monday. Among those honored were six gymnasts, six women's basketball players and one men's basketball player.

Of the 13 student-athletes to be recognized by the WAC, one is receiving academic all-conference honors for the fourth straight year, three are being honored for the third time, while three more are being honored for the second time in a row.

Student-athletes who are earning academic all-conference honors for the fourth time include Ana Rickard-Whitfield of gymnastics. Those being honored for the third time include women's basketball players Jenny Gross and Taylor Richards, and gymnast Katie Omann. And those being honored for the second time include Nicki Felley and Heather Heinrich from gymnastics and Nicole Johnson from women's basketball.

To be eligible for academic all-conference honors, a student-athlete must have completed at least one academic year, have at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's contests.

Gymnastics
Nicki Felley, Jr., 3.28, Exercise Science
Heather Heinrich, Jr., 3.57, Management Information Systems
Katie Omann, Sr., 3.15, Exercise Science
Kelly Patterson, Sr., 3.41, Biology
Megan Tschida, Sr., 3.14, Journalism
Ana Rickard-Whitfield, Sr., 3.37, Exercise Science
Men's Basketball
Matt Formisano, R-Fr., 3.15, Undeclared
Women's Basketball
Jenny Gross, Sr., 3.35, Family Child and Human Development
Nicole Johnson, So., 3.96, Undeclared
LeeAnn Palo, So., 3.91, Finance
Ana Pares, Jr., 3.17, Family Child and Human Development
Taylor Richards, Sr., 3.67, Elementary Education
Lindsey Shipley, Jr., 3.33, Exercise Science