Two Owl Tracksters Named Academic All-Americans

KEENE, N.H., 6/2/10 - Already recognized for their athletic achievements as track All-Americans, Keene State College’s Bryan Kolacz and Allison Chamberlain were also honored for their work in the classroom by being named District Academic All-Americans on Thursday.

First-team selections, both Kolacz and Chamberlain’s names will appear on the national cross country/track ballot later this month.

Kolacz, a junior from Brentwood, N.H., had a tremendous season throwing his weight around for the Owl track team. During the indoor season, he earned All- America with his sixth-place finish in the 35-lb. weight throw event at the NCAA Championships. Although Kolacz was unable to defend his national championship in the hammer at the recent NCAA Outdoor Championship, he placed third in a very strong field of competitors.

Kolacz, a physical education major, says being a student athlete is all about time management. “Competing in a sport helps me organize my day,” he said. “I have responsibilities as a student and as an athlete.” After earning his degree, he hopes to attend graduate school and is considering several majors, including strength training, exercise science, kinesiology, and physical therapy.

A junior from Scarborough, Maine, Chamberlain, had an equally impressive season competing in cross country and track for the Owls. “Academics are as important to me as athletics, so I’m thrilled to be honored with this recognition,” said Chamberlain, an architecture major.

The Little East cross country champion, Chamberlain ran to a second-place finish in the 800-meter race at the NCAA indoor meet. She qualified for the outdoor championships in the 800 and 1,500 races, but didn’t compete due to a leg injury.

Kolacz and Chamberlain become the third and fourth district Academic All- Americans for Keene State this year. Jaclyn Grant earned the honor in women’s soccer, while Kristin Degou was recognized in women’s basketball for the second-straight season.