NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Nine members of the Southern Connecticut State University women's track and field team – Shaina Barr (Manchester, Conn.), Ashley Bell (Riverhead, N.Y.), Alasia Griebel (Bristol, Conn.), Sarah Hill (Rockville, Conn. ), Kimberly Johnson (Lisbon, Conn.), Brittany Niemczyk (Vernon, Conn.), Samantha Spindel (Brewster, Conn.), Jaclyn Sullivan (Lisbon, Conn.) and Titilayo Vanriel (Hartford, Conn.) – have been named to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's All-Academic Track and Field Team. The Owls had the third-highest total of any program in the nation.

Barr finished her collegiate career in style, collecting All-America, All-Region and All-New England honors for the Owls. She was also a conference champion as part of the 4x400 relay. Barr was a four-time All-New England pick in the 4x400 relay indoors for her career.

Bell was an All-Region pick in the 100 and 200 meters as well as in the 4x100 relay this spring. She was also a New England Champion as a part of the 4x100 relay. Bell is also a three-time Northeast-10 Conference Women's Track and Field All-Academic Team pick for her career.

Griebel was an NCAA qualifier in the 1500 meters, in addition to earning All-Region laurels in the 800 and 1500 meters, and All-New England accolades in the 1500 meters and 4x800 meters, setting a new SCSU record. Griebel was also the Northeast-10 Champion in the 1500 meters. Griebel was named to the NE-10 All-Academic Team in all three seasons this year – for cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field.

Hill was an All-Region selection in the 200 meters, 400 meters, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay during the outdoor season, as well as a New England champion as part of the 4x100 relay. She was also an All-New England in the 400 meters and the 4x400 relay. Hill also earned All-America honors as part of the 4x400 relay during the indoor campaign.

Johnson capped off a fine year with a strong spring. She was All-Region and All-New England, as well as the Northeast-10 Conference Champion and a NCAA qualifier in the pole vault. Johnson was also named as a 2011 NE-10 Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams. She was an All-American, All-Region and All-New England pick indoors en route to USTFCCCA Regional Field Athlete of the Year honors.

Niemczyk was an All-Region pick in the 400 hurdles and the pole vault outdoors. She was also an All-New England honoree in the 400 hurdles and the Northeast-10 Conference champion in the 400 hurdles. Niemczyk also earned Northeast-10 Conference runner-up laurels in the 100 hurdles and pole vault. She was an All-American, All-Region and All-New England pick during the indoor season as well.

Spindel earned All-Region honors in the discus and hammer throw outdoors. She was also an All-New England pick in the hammer throw and the Northeast-10 Conference champion in the discus. During the course of the year, Spindel was also the NE-10 runner-up in the hammer throw and an All-Region pick in the weight throw.

Sullivan, previously earned both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team accolades, was an All-New England selection in the 4x800 meters, which set a new SCSU record. Sullivan also finished fourth at the Northeast-10's in the 4x800 meters, fifth in the 1500 meters and 10th in the 800 meters.

Vanriel enjoyed a fine rookie season for the Owls in cross country and track and field. She was an All-Region pick indoors and outdoors, as well a NCAA qualifier indoors. Vanriel also earned All-New England honors and was a NE-10 Champion for the Owls this year.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division II indoor or outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard.

A total of 311 student-athletes representing 80 institutions were recognized with the honor.