Men's Track & Field 5/22/2007 12:00:00 AM

Four Wildcats Garner Academic All-Area Honors

May 22, 2007

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Philadelphia Area Sports Information Directors Association recently released the 2006-07 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Track Teams with four Wildcats honored on the two lists. Seniors Elizabeth Gesel and Monique Morgan, along with junior Frances Koons rounded out the women's team, while senior Drew Eckman was the lone Villanovan for the men. All four student-athletes have displayed their abilities to succeed both in competition and the classroom.

Gesel, who holds a 3.79 cumulative grade point average, is a biology major. The Manchester, N.H. native is a middle distance runner who most recently placed first in the 3,000m Steeplechase event with a time of 10:39.71 at the Danny Curran Invitational at Widener University. She not only recorded a new personal best in the event, but also secured herself a spot at this weekend's NCAA Regional meet in Florida.

Morgan, an All-American, has been a staple in Villanova's various successes this year. She clinched the BIG EAST Indoor Championship in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.21. The Kingston, Jamaica native also set a new ECAC record in the 60m hurdles posting a blazing 8.17. In addition, Morgan placed first in the 100m and 400m events at the Walt Disney World Invitational qualifying her for NCAA Regional competition. Her many accomplishments carry into the classroom as Morgan boasts a 3.587 in Spanish Language and Literature.

Koons, the BIG EAST Indoor Most Outstanding Track Performer, has compiled an impressive list of accolades this year. She was victorious in three events at the indoor conference championships with first place finishes in the mile, 1000m, and 4x800m relay. Koons was also named the Mid-Atlantic Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. One of her greatest accomplishments this season came when Koons set a new meet record and personal best in the 3,000m at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Her academics read much of the same as the Allentown, Pa. native holds a 3.457 as a math major.

Securing the lone spot on the men's team is Eckman, who was most recently recognized as the 2006-07 Villanova Senior Student-Athlete of the Year. His excellence in both academics and athletics has also garnered him the honor of being named the BIG EAST/AÃƒÂ©ropostale Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. With a 3.618 grade point average in biology, Eckman will travel to Florida this weekend to compete in the 800m event at the NCAA Regional meet.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ACADEMIC ALL-AREA WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD TEAM

Claire Brislin - Haverford

Ashley Douglas - Lincoln

Elizabeth Gesel - Villanova

Frances Koons - Villanova

Carolyn Lipovsky - La Salle

Lauren Lucci - Widener

Kelly Magnin - Ursinus

Monique Morgan - Villanova

Cait Mullarkey - Swarthmore

Rachel Papin - La Salle

Ashley Parker - Lincoln