NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – Freshman sprinter Danisha Higgs added another accolade to her quickly growing resume, as she was named the program's first United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Honoree for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or better, while also qualifying for either an indoor or outdoor NCAA championship meet.

A total of 328 individuals from Division III track and field programs were named all-academic selections. Keelie Finnel from Coe University was named the indoor track scholar athlete of the year, while Emma Dewart from Ithaca College (NY) was named the indoor field scholar athlete of the year. Jennifer Gossels of Williams College (MA) nabbed the outdoor track scholar athlete of the year, and Kelly Lovett of Carleton College brought home the field scholar athlete of the year honor. All four athletes were first-time recipients of their respective awards.

For Higgs, her rookie season was highlighted by six record setting performances in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. The 2011 Middle Atlantic Conference Indoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year, Higgs sprinted her way to a combined three gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal at this year's championship meets.

Higgs went on to provisionally qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championship meet in May when she sprinted her way to a first place finish in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.25 seconds.