Juliane Totzke
Northern Illinois senior Jenelle McCalla (Whitby, Ontario/Father Leo J. Austin Secondary School) and junior Juliane Totzke (Graefenroda, Germany/Carl Zeiss Gymnasium) were both named to the Mid-American Conference’s Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-Conference Team, the league office announced Thursday.
Additionally, Totzke was named Second Team Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She was one of 25 student-athletes in the Midwest honored by the organization.
“This is a deserving honor for Juliane and Jenelle. Both ladies have proven their dedication academically and athletically every semester as they represent NIU,” said NIU head coach Connie Teaberry.
“They make it seem easy when, in fact, they put in countless hours. When others are sleeping or relaxing, these ladies are studying on the bus, before meetings, during the holidays, etc. Often teased by others for their relentless academic devotion, Jenelle and Juliane are able to show that their honors, awards and respect makes it all worthwhile, along with holding 4.0 cumulative GPAs,” Teaberry addded. “Our staff is proud these ladies represent NIU Cross Country and Track & Field and we know they will have continued success.”
Jenelle McCalla
McCalla, who graduated in May with a perfect 4.0 GPA in psychology, ran the 400 hurdles at all seven of NIU’s outdoor meets in 2013.
The Whitby, Ontario native recorded a season-best time of 1:03.12 at the MAC Championships, while finishing a season-high second place at the West Chester Last Chance Qualifier with a time of 1:04.85. Additionally, McCalla earned third place finishes at the Huskie Open and Chicagoland Championships and ran the first leg of NIU’s 4×400 relay that won the event title at the Huskie Open.
A biochemistry major with a 4.0 GPA, Totzke competed in five outdoor meets in 2013. She ran a season-best time of 17:37.93 in the 5000 meters at the Huskie Open to finish fifth and also earned a third place finish in the 3000 meters at the Bulls Invitational with a time of 10:22.34. The German junior took third place in the 5000 meters at the Sea Ray Relays with a time of 17:56.26, while finishing 11th place in the 10,000 meters at the MAC Championships with a 37:51.03 clip.
The Academic All-MAC and CoSIDA All-District honors are for student-athletes who have 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.
or more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
