June 6, 2008

FRISCO, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field teams placed seven athletes on the 2008 Academic All-Southland Conference team league officials announced Thursday afternoon. The four Ladyjacks that received the honor are senior Leah Matthews, sophomores Silent-Joy Egboba-Waye and Tabitha Riley, and freshman Amy Shackelford. Senior Justin Reyes, junior Keith Mahipala and sophomore Chris Moody received the honor on the men's side.

Student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, have earned sophomore academic standing at the university and be a starter or significant reserve. SFA's crop of athletes that were named to the all-academic team left a paper-trail of success both in the classroom and on the field of competition.

Senior Leah Matthews is a former NCAA qualifier who leaves SFA as a five-time All-SLC selection, a 2007 NCAA All-Region honoree and holds the school record in the indoor and outdoor long jump. Classmate Justin Reyes is a former conference individual champion in the high jump, who earned four all-conference honors during his career.

Mahipala was one of the 'Jacks strongest distance runners this past season. After posting top-five performances during the indoor season in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters, Mahipala returned to the track and earned all-conference honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Egboba-Waye recorded a strong outdoor season in the 100-meter hurdles, and the long jump. She earned all-conference honors in both events, and advanced to the NCAA Regional Championships. Riley is a three-time all-conference selection who earned All-SLC recognition in the pentathlon and heptathlon during her second season on campus. Moody was a key figure of the Lumberjack relay teams in 2008 earning all-conference honors in the indoor and outdoor 4X400-meter relays. He is a four-time All-SLC selection.

Shackelford recorded a breakout season in 2007-08. She really came on strong at the end of the cross country season, and wrapped up the year by earning All-SLC honors in the 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs at the conference outdoor championships.

-SFA-