Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU's Ryan Vail A First-Team Academic All-American
June 23, 2008 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State men's cross country and track and field star Ryan Vail was voted to ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-America men's track and field team, it was announced today.
He is the second Cowboy track and field Academic All-American in as many years, as Michael Breshears was a second-team selection in 2007. This year's honor for Vail marks the 43rd time since 1954 that an Oklahoma State student-athlete has been recognized as an Academic All-American.
“I'm very proud to be included in this group of first-team Academic All-Americans,” Vail said. “You have to approach both running and school with the same kind of motivation and determination. Any success you have is going to be a result of the time and effort you put into it. This is a great award and I'm proud of this.”
“This is a tremendous honor for Ryan,” Coach Dave Smith said. “He is an extremely hard worker. He's talented and intelligent and obviously he is very bright. He's very focused in school and in running and he does well in both. He will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials this weekend.”
A native of Gresham, Ore., Vail had a 2007-08 season to remember. He earned All-America honors during the 2007 cross country season by placing fifth in the nation and leading the Cowboys to a third-place finish at the NCAA cross country championships, won the Big 12 indoor 3000 meter title and was an All-America honoree following his fifth-place finish in the 5000 meters at the NCAA outdoor championships.
His success in the classroom matches his success on the track, as Vail sports a 3.63 grade point average working on his master's in international studies. He is one of only four Big 12 men's track and field student-athletes to earn 2008 first-team Academic All-America honors, joining Texas' Donovan Kilmartin, Kansas State's Scott Sellers and Colorado's Brett Vaughn.
The College Sports Information Directors of America selects the Academic All-America team, voting student-athletes onto either the first, second or third team. To be nominated, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her career. No athlete is eligible until he/she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution.
Ryan Vail's 2007-08 Honors and Awards
:: 2008 ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-American (men's track and field)
:: 2008 NCAA Outdoor 5000 meter All-American (fifth place at NCAA Championships)
:: 2008 Big 12 Indoor 3000 meter Champion
:: 2007 Cross Country All-American (fifth place at NCAA Championships)
:: 2007 USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Team
:: 2007 Cross Country NCAA All-Midwest Region Team
:: 2007 Cross Country All-Big 12 Team
:: 2007 Cross Country Academic All-Big 12 Team
2008 ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-Americans (men's track and field)
Jangy Addy, Tennessee
Ian Burrell, Georgia
Ian Butcher, Saint Francis (Pa.)
Mat Clark, Northern Iowa
Mike Duncan, Western Kentucky
Jacob Dunkleberger, Auburn
David Ebersole, Ohio State
Bret Ferrier, Weber State
Javier Garcia-Tunon, Florida State
Kenneth Grosselin, Air Force
Clendon Henderson, Liberty
Donovan Kilmartin, Texas
David Kinsella, Portland
Greg Liebl, North Dakota State
Scott Sellers, Kansas State
Xuehan Xiong, Arizona
Ryan Vail, Oklahoma State
Brent Vaughn, Colorado
He is the second Cowboy track and field Academic All-American in as many years, as Michael Breshears was a second-team selection in 2007. This year's honor for Vail marks the 43rd time since 1954 that an Oklahoma State student-athlete has been recognized as an Academic All-American.
“I'm very proud to be included in this group of first-team Academic All-Americans,” Vail said. “You have to approach both running and school with the same kind of motivation and determination. Any success you have is going to be a result of the time and effort you put into it. This is a great award and I'm proud of this.”
“This is a tremendous honor for Ryan,” Coach Dave Smith said. “He is an extremely hard worker. He's talented and intelligent and obviously he is very bright. He's very focused in school and in running and he does well in both. He will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials this weekend.”
A native of Gresham, Ore., Vail had a 2007-08 season to remember. He earned All-America honors during the 2007 cross country season by placing fifth in the nation and leading the Cowboys to a third-place finish at the NCAA cross country championships, won the Big 12 indoor 3000 meter title and was an All-America honoree following his fifth-place finish in the 5000 meters at the NCAA outdoor championships.
His success in the classroom matches his success on the track, as Vail sports a 3.63 grade point average working on his master's in international studies. He is one of only four Big 12 men's track and field student-athletes to earn 2008 first-team Academic All-America honors, joining Texas' Donovan Kilmartin, Kansas State's Scott Sellers and Colorado's Brett Vaughn.
The College Sports Information Directors of America selects the Academic All-America team, voting student-athletes onto either the first, second or third team. To be nominated, the student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for his/her career. No athlete is eligible until he/she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution.
Ryan Vail's 2007-08 Honors and Awards
:: 2008 ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-American (men's track and field)
:: 2008 NCAA Outdoor 5000 meter All-American (fifth place at NCAA Championships)
:: 2008 Big 12 Indoor 3000 meter Champion
:: 2007 Cross Country All-American (fifth place at NCAA Championships)
:: 2007 USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Team
:: 2007 Cross Country NCAA All-Midwest Region Team
:: 2007 Cross Country All-Big 12 Team
:: 2007 Cross Country Academic All-Big 12 Team
2008 ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-Americans (men's track and field)
Jangy Addy, Tennessee
Ian Burrell, Georgia
Ian Butcher, Saint Francis (Pa.)
Mat Clark, Northern Iowa
Mike Duncan, Western Kentucky
Jacob Dunkleberger, Auburn
David Ebersole, Ohio State
Bret Ferrier, Weber State
Javier Garcia-Tunon, Florida State
Kenneth Grosselin, Air Force
Clendon Henderson, Liberty
Donovan Kilmartin, Texas
David Kinsella, Portland
Greg Liebl, North Dakota State
Scott Sellers, Kansas State
Xuehan Xiong, Arizona
Ryan Vail, Oklahoma State
Brent Vaughn, Colorado
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