BOZEMAN - Montana State track and field student-athletes were recently honored for their academic achievements by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.

The 2009 Division I All-Academic Track and Field team included four Bobcat women, two men, and the women's outdoor team. The association honors the top academic achievers in outdoor track and field across all Division I track programs in the country.

MSU women honored included senior Ellie Rudy (pole vault), junior Alli Jones (weight throws) and sophomores Lena Suek (javelin) and Emily Tyrell (javelin) Men receiving the academic honor were freshman weight thrower David Phillips and junior distance runner Matt Adams. The women's track and field team had the 24th best grade point average in the nation with a 3.35.

"This is a great honor for our kids and for our teams," head coach Dale Kennedy said. "One of the things we really stress is academics and it's great when our kids receive the recognition for a job well done in the classroom."

The honorees also achieved on the field this season as all six individuals qualified for the Midwest Regional Championships in Norman, Oklahoma this spring, and Tyrell competing in the NCAA national championship in Arkansas.