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McCalla, Sio earn Academic All-MAC accolades

April 17, 2012
Jenelle McCalla and Jenner Sio

Jenelle McCalla and Jenner Sio

Senior Jenner Sio and junior Jenelle McCalla were both named to the Mid-American Conference’s Academic All-Conference team, the league office announced Tuesday.

In addition, Erica Miller and Courtney Oldenburg earned honorable mention recognition by the MAC.

“Our staff and team are extremely proud of Jenelle and Jenner’s Academic All-MAC honor,” said NIU Driector of Track & Field and Cross Country Connie Teaberry.

“They both work hard to achieve their goals academically and athletically, so it comes as no surprise that these ladies were chosen. Both are competitive in their event areas, and both have maintained 4.0 GPAs. Competing at this level, it takes organization and determination to balance academics and athletics and Jenner and Jenelle would not settle for giving less than 100 percent in both.”

Sio, a native of Rockford, Ill., boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA in business management.

The senior earned six top-five finishes in the long jump and triple jump during the indoor season, including second-place showings at the Illini Open, Illini Classic and Ball State Quadrangular. Sio also broke her own school record in the triple jump, reaching 39-01.00 (11.91m) to finish sixth at the ultra-competitive Iowa State Classic in February.

McCalla, who hails from Whitby, Ontario, Canada, maintains a 4.0 GPA in psychology.

The junior helped set the NIU 4×400 relay record by running the second leg of the quartet that ran a 3:47.74 clip at the Iowa State Classic. On an individual level, McCalla broke personal records in four different events and earned five top-five finishes during the indoor campaign.

Oldenburg claimed one event title during the season, winning the 3000 meters at the Illini Open. In addition, the nursing major with a 3.884 GPA set a personal record in the mile at the Iowa State Classic with a time of 4:54.58 – just four-tenths of a second from breaking the school record.

Meanwhile, Miller set two personal records during the season, doing so in the 600 yards and 600 meters. The nursing major from Geneva, Ill., finished in the top 10 at three different meets in the 400 meters.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.

For more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.