May 29, 2003
Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College cross country and track and field team member, Liza Grudzinski (Branford, CT) was named to the District I Verizon/CoSida Academic All-District Team, and becomes eligible for Academic All-America Honors, which will be announced June 19th. Grudzinski is the eighth Red Fox student-athlete to earn All-District honors, the fifth to be named to the First Team and received national consideration.
The Verizon All-Academic award is based on Grudzinski's successes both in the classroom and on track. A graduate student, Grudzinski captured both the 3K and 5K crowns at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Outdoor Championships, a feat which she also accomplished at the Indoor meet. In both instances, she was recognized as the conference's Most Outstanding Female Track Performer. Grudzinski qualified to compete at the NCAA Super Regional this weekend, in the 5K, the first Red Fox to accomplish this feat. She is the school record holder in the indoor 5K, as well as the outdoor 3K, 5K and 10K. Her outdoor season was highlighted by a 21st place finish in the 10K at the world renowned Penn Relays.
Grudzinski, a graduate of Branford High School, is currently working on her Master's Degree in Psychology - Special Education, after earning her undergraduate degree in the same field last year. During her time at Marist, she has earned nine MAAC All-Academic Team selections, as well as earning Dean's List in four of her undergraduate semesters at Marist.
The Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) are responsible for voting the regional All-Academic Teams, based on athletic and academic achievements of the athletes. To earn selection to the Verizon Academic All-America Team, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better, be a starter or significant reserve and have completed at least one full academic year at the school. The nominees are then voted on by the Sports Information Directors of the Region, with the top choices being made eligible for national honors. District I encompasses all Division I schools located in New York State and the New England states.
