Guilford's Abelin Garners Lacrosse and Cross Country Laurels

Greensboro, N.C. (6/9/09) -- While Guilford College senior Jennifer Abelin graduated last month, she continues to collect special recognition for her academic and athletic performances. Abelin earned First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Cross Country Team honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The two-sport standout is also one of 40 seniors selected to play in this Saturday's (6/13) Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Association (IWLCA)/Under Armour North-South All-Star Game in Downingtown, Pa. at 2:00 p.m. at the United Sports Training Center (USTC).

CoSIDA members nominated and selected the academic all-district teams. The all-district squads are comprised cross country and track and field student-athletes from Division II and III institutions in the five-state area from Virginia to Florida. Nominees were starters or important reserves of sophomore academic standing or above who maintained at least a 3.3 grade point average. As a first-team all-district selection, Abelin is eligible for the organization's Academic All-American team.

Guilford's first academic all-district cross-country honoree, Abelin participated in five of Guilford's seven events and consistently posted one of the Quakers' fastest times. She ran the second-best six-kilometer time in school history (26:15.25) at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championships, which placed 32nd overall. Her best five-kilometer performance came Oct. 4 at the Hagan-Stone Cross Country Classic where she posted a time of 23:17.9 and placed 77th. Abelin's best finish was at the Maroon Invitational in Roanoke, Va., Sept. 15 where she finished 26th with a time of 23:29.2.

The annual lacrosse all-star game contest is part of the IWLCA's All-America Banquet and Champions Cup Tournament. Abelin is Guilford's third senior to play in the game in as many years, joining former teammates Mary Hutchins '08 and Caryn Stone '07. Abelin earned Second Team All-Chesapeake Region honors and First Team All-ODAC recognition last month. She led Guilford's defenders for the third straight season with 53 ground balls and a school-record 31 caused turnovers. Abelin also led the league in both categories and ranked 12th among NCAA Division III leaders in caused turnovers per game (2.38) and 23rd in ground balls per game (4.08).

Abelin concluded her outstanding career as the Quakers' career leader with 90 caused turnovers in 61 games and ranks second all-time with 217 ground balls. She captured the Quaker Club's 2008-09 Ideal Student-Athlete Award according to a vote of the school's athletic department staff. Abelin also earned the Nereus C. English '26 Award in February, the school's highest athletic honor. She will pursue a doctorate degree at the University of Virginia starting in the fall.