CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Seniors Marisa Ryan (cross country, track & field) and Lidija Breznikar (women's swimming and diving) and rising junior Christy Leath (softball) have been named America East Scholar-Athletes for their respective sports, the conference announced Monday. Ryan, Breznikar and Leath were among 161 Boston University student-athletes who were named to the league's Winter/Spring Honor Roll for earning a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

BU tied Albany and Binghamton for the conference lead in Scholar-Athletes with three apiece.

Breznikar was a Dean's List student in seven out of eight semesters, most recently posting a 3.93 GPA in the spring semester of 2007. A four-time member of America East's Commissioner's Honor Roll, Breznikar was also a two-time member of the America East All-Academic Team, while holding three school records in the pool.

Leath, the 2007 America East Player of the Year, guided the softball team to the regular-season title and top seed in the America East Championship. She registered a 3.53 GPA this spring and was an all-academic team selection.

Recently named the America East Woman of the Year, Ryan holds a 3.78 GPA and is on schedule to receive her M.D. in three years. She won the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 2007 America East Outdoor Track and Field Championship. In addition, she was the 2006 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

A committee of athletic administrators and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representatives chose an honoree in each of the winter and spring championship sports. Each honoree that was named an America East Scholar-Athlete was a starter or prominent reserve and carries a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.

A total of 1616 student-athletes have been named to the 2006-07 America East Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll for GPAs of 3.0 or higher during the winter and spring seasons. Of that total, 756 student-athletes were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll, acknowledging GPAs of 3.5 or higher during the most recent athletic season.