Bemidji State sprinter Kristi Buerkle and thrower Brian Leonhardt have been named to the 2011 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II All-Academic teams.
Buerkle, a senior majoring in elementary education, carried a 3.86 GPA into her final semester at Bemidji State. A nine-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team honoree, the 2010-11 BSU Female Athlete of the Year was a regular on BSU Dean's List, qualifying all eight semesters she was eligible. In addition, she also earned recognition from the USTFCCCA as an All-Academic individual at the conclusion of the cross country season, played a significant role on multiple USTFCCCA All-Academic teams and was a member of the BSU athletic department 3.0 Club.
Leonhardt, who carries a 3.61 GPA in business administration is also on the BSU football team. An All-NSIC performer in both the shot put and hammer throw, Leonhardt has been a regular on the NSIC's All-Academic Team, on BSU's Dean's List and the BSU athletic department 3.0 Club.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and have met NCAA automatic or provisional qualifying marks in an individual or relay event at some point in during the indoor or outdoor seasons.
