NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Six members of the Southern Connecticut State University women's track and field team – Ashley Bell (Riverhead, N.Y.), Kimberly Johnson (Lisbon, Conn.), Brittany Niemczyk (Vernon, Conn.), Samantha Spindel (Brewster, N.Y.) Rachel Van Gilder (Enfield, 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.

Bell, who was previously an Academic All-District selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America, was a NCAA qualifier in both the 100 and 200 meters. She was an All-Region pick in the 100 and 200 meters and the 4x100 and 4x400 relay, as well as the New England champion in the 200 meters and the New England runner-up in the 100 meters. Bell also won the 100 and 200 meters at the NE-10 Championships and was a part of both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays that finished second. She was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams.

Johnson, who was also previously an Academic All-District selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America, was the New England champion in the pole vault during the outdoor season. She also earned All-Region honors and was the runner-up at the NE-10 championships in that event, in addition to posting a fourth place finish in the hammer throw and a sixth place mark in the 100 hurdles. Johnson was also All-Region in the high jump during the spring. She was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams.

Niemczyk was an All-New England selection in the 4x400 relay after helping that group to a runner-up finish. Also an All-Region honoree during the course of the year, she was a part of the 4x400 relay that was second at the NE-10 Championships, while also placing fourth in the pole vault and fifth in the 400 meter hurdles. She was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams.

Spindel was an All-Region and All-New England honoree this spring. She placed second in both the discus and the hammer at the Northeast-10 Championships and also earned All-Region laurels in both events. Spindel also finished third at New England's in the hammer. She was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Teams.

Van Gilder enjoyed a fine rookie campaign in which she was an All-Region pick in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays and an All-New England honoree in the 4x400 relay. She was also named to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Vanriel was a NCAA Qualifier during the indoor season and also captured All-Region honors in the 800 meters. She was also a Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.

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.