NEW ORLEANS -- Four SBU track and field athletes were named to the USTFCCCA Division II All-Academic Track and Field Team. Jenny Blair, Corie Chuning and Tyrahnique Thomas earned a spot on the women's squad while Jesse Kueker picked up the honor for the men. Both SBU squads also earned the honor of being named as All-Academic Track and Field Teams.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA (United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met either the NCAA Division II indoor or outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard. A total of 156 student-athletes representing 59 institutions compose the men's group while 276 female student-athletes representing 72 institutions were also named.

The three SBU ladies were all members of the 4x100m relay team that provisionally qualified for the NCAA national meet during the outdoor season. Blair, a native of Kansas City, Mo., graduated in May with a degree in commercial art. She also provisionally qualified in the 400 meters during the indoor season and in the 200 meters during the outdoor campaign.

Chuning completed her freshman season and is a physical education major from Excelsior Springs, Mo. Chuning was also a provisional qualifier in the 60 meter indoor and 100 meter outdoor races. Thomas, a criminal justice major from Freeport, Bahamas, finished her junior season.

Kueker finished his SBU career with a Biblical studies degree in May and is originally from Perryville, Mo. He participated in cross country and track and field while a Bearcat. He was part of a distance medley relay team that qualified during the indoor season.

The USTFCCA also announced that both SBU teams qualified as 2010 Division II All-Academic Track & Field Teams. To qualify each team had to have a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better. A total of 67 institutions across the nation earned the distinction on the women's side while 34 men's teams were named.

For complete lists and more on all of these awards, visit www.ustfccca.org.