May 19, 2010
America East All-Academic Team
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Sophomore Petra Santini and recent graduate Francine Whu are two of seven student-athletes named to the 2010 America East Women's Tennis All-Academic Team, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon. Whu received her third honor, while Santini was named to the squad for the first time.
Majoring in advertising with a 3.80 GPA, Santini was tabbed the AE Championship Most Outstanding Player after playing a vital role in helping the Terriers earn their 17th-straight conference crown. With the team score tied 3-3 against Binghamton with everyone in attendance watching, Santini won the final three games of the third set for the championship clinching point. Also tabbed first-teamm all-conference, she pulled out a singles victory in the semifinals against Stony Brook.
Graduating last weekend with a degree in sociology and a 3.67 GPA, Whu battled injuries all season long but still helped the Terriers earn their 17th-straight league title. In the semifinals, the 2008 AE Player of the Year defeated Stony Brook's then-No. 115 Anna Pieschl in two sets. During the season, she went 10-7 at No. 2 doubles with sophomore Monika Mical.
The All-Academic squads are a product of the June 2005 Athletics Director meetings, where faculty representatives and athletics directors from each of the conference's nine member institutions decided to honor the league's top student-athletes, whom excel equally in the classroom as they do on the playing field.
For the second straight year, America East selected the All-Academic teams using CoSIDA's Academic All-America program as a model. Student-athletes worthy of consideration are nominated by member sports information directors and voted on by a committee of SIDs, academic advisers and faculty representatives from all nine member institutions.
All-Academic squads for team sports are based on the number of athletes that participate in a contest at one time (example: six players in tennis) or are made up of 10 student-athletes for individual sports. There may be more student-athletes recognized if a tie exists or fewer if eligibility requirements limit the number of nominees.
To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution. Freshmen and first-year transfers are not eligible for consideration.
