AUSTIN, Texas – Five Minnesota State women's track and field student-athletes were named to the Academic All-District Team by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday (June 24). They included Ghada Hamdani, Stella Neophytou, Lillian Washington, Miranda Lauvstad and Madison Matzek.
 
The Academic All-District teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in competitions and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes track and field honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
 
Hamdani (Bizerte, Tunisha) earned NCAA Division II All-American First Team in triple jump during indoor season with a fourth place mark of 12.61m. During outdoor season, she was NSIC Champion in triple jump and once again All-American with a ninth place leap at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.
 
Neophytou (Nicosia, Cyprus) was the NSIC Champion in triple jump during indoor season and went on to first team All-American status in the event at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships (ninth place). Neophytou won the NSIC Myles Brand Award, then placed seventh in triple jump at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in May for the Mavericks.
 
Washington (Spikkestad, Norway) posted a ninth place triple jump at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships for Second Team All-America. She also came in 10^th at the same meet in high jump. During her outdoor campaign, Washington posted the fourth best triple jump in Division II at a personal best 12.93 meters and First Team All-America honors.
 
Lauvstad (Nesoeya, Norway) was a first team All-American in long jump and pentathlon during indoor season. Outdoors, Lauvstad was USTFCCCA All-Region in 400 meter hurdles, long jump and heptathlon as well as a two time NSIC Field Athlete of the Week.
 
Matzek (Prescott, Wisconsin) competed in seven indoor meets in distance and placed fourth at the NSIC Championships in 5000 meters as well as sixth in 3000 meters. Matzek was All-NSIC in the 3000 meter steeplechase during outdoor season with a time of 11:03.12 and posted a fourth place time in 5000 meters.
 
All five MSU student-athletes advanced to the national ballot. Academic All-Americans will be announced on July 15.