SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Junior Erica Hess was selected to the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Second Team for the College Division of District II, which encompasses all Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior colleges in the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Hess, a biology major with a 3.9 grade-point average (GPA) through six semesters, earned her second consecutive Academic All-District Second Team selection. Just last week, Hess shattered the school record in the 400 meters at the Division II National Championships with a new personal-best time of 54.70 seconds that put her just three spots short of qualifying for the finals. She became the first ever Lady Raider to post a 400-meter time under 55 seconds.

During the indoor season, Hess was a national qualifier in the 400 after winning the PSAC title in the event for the fourth time in five overall attempts. She placed fifth in the 200 meters at the indoor meet and followed that up with a fourth-place finish in the 200 during the outdoor season. For her career, Hess is a two-time All-American with the outdoor 4x400-meter relay squad.

Overall, Shippensburg had the most PSAC representatives on the district track and field/cross country teams with four. Five of the 10 first-team honorees and 10 of the 20 overall hail from a PSAC institution. For the 2009-10 athletic calendar, Shippensburg had the second-most overall Academic All-District selections in the PSAC with 12 while California (Pa.) led the conference with 16 honorees.

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selects Academic All-America® teams in 12 programs. A first team and second team are selected in both the University (Division I and I-AA) and College (Division II, III and NAIA) Divisions.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Academic All-District Winners From the PSAC

First Team
Mary Dell, Shippensburg
Neely Spence, Shippensburg
Jen Harpp, Slippery Rock
Jen Hansen, Slippery Rock
Trina Carito, East Stroudsburg

Second Team
Erica Hess, Shippensburg
Abby Huber, Shippensburg
Janelle Smith, East Stroudsburg
Lynn Mayer, East Stroudsburg
Laurie Hall, California (Pa.)