MSSU women's track and field athletes named Academice All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern State University senior Morgan Ash and junior Elena Bisotto were named to the Academic All-America ® Division II Women's Track & Field/Cross Country First Team, selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). The teams were announced on Wednesday.

This is the second-straight year Bisotto has earned the honor, first time on the first team.

Ash, a Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy major has a cumulative 3.80 GPA while Bisotto, a biology major has a perfect 4.00 GPA.

Ash is the school record holder for the javelin with a throw of 51.45 meters (168 feet, 9 inches). She holds four of the top ten marks in Southern history including three of the top four marks in the event.
Bissoto, who was a finalist for the MIAA Winter Women's Athlete of the Year, holds the No.3 spot in the performer's list in outdoor pole vault as she cleared 3.98 meters (13 feet, 0.75 inches). She holds the No. 2 mark in the Southern performer's list for the indoor portion of the season after she cleared 4.04 meters (13 feet, 3 inches).

The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be selected for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore in academic standing, as well as not being a first-year transfer to the institution. Student-athletes must also maintain a minimum of a 3.30 GPA, as well as participate in at least 50 percent of their team's competitions. The award is voted on by sports information professionals throughout Division II. Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the Academic All-America awards program where student-athletes were selected based on career statistics.

The 15 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II women's track/cross country first team members hold a composite 3.95 GPA. Twenty-four members of the 45-player first, second and third teams honorees hold a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA. Thirteen CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II women's track/cross country selections are repeat picks from the 2018-19 honor listing, including one student-athlete making the 2017-18 team.