(Peru, Neb.) –The 2021-22 Academic All-District® Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Teams, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football and volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA.

Alyssa Brink (Oakland, Iowa) and Isabella Watkins (Omaha) were among those recognized on the NAIA District 3 Team. This is the first time being honored for both Brink and Watkins. This is the first time since 2013 that a women's cross country runner has been recognized. The last two honored were Kesha (Beethe) Klontz (formerly of Tecumseh/Bonney Lake, Wash.) and Danielle (Prchal) Burgstiner (formerly of Omaha/now Bellevue) were two time-honorees in 2012 and 2013.
 
First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in mid-June.
 
Brink, who recently graduated with cum laude honors at Peru State, was an elementary education major. As part of the nomination process, up to 500 characters of information was able to be included. The following is what was submitted in her behalf.

  • Three-year cross country team member…Three-year letter winner…President's List (Perfect 4.0 GPA)

 

  • Two-time Dean's List…Women's team representative for Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA)CoSIDA All-District Honor Logo

 

  • Two-time Dean's List…Women's team representative for Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA)

                                             

  • Peru City-Wide Clean-Up, Auburn High School Post Prom volunteer, Auburn Back-Pack program

 

  • Concessions Stands volunteer

Watkins, who just completed her sophomore year, is a marketing major. Her nomination information included:
 

  • Two-time Dean's List…National Student Leadership Society Inductee

 

  • Two-year dance team member…one-year cross country team member

 

  • Admissions Top Cat…Community service including: Feeding 44, Auburn High School After Prom

 

  • Auburn Back-Pack Program, Concessions stand volunteer, Dance Clinic volunteer

 
The CoSIDA Academic All-District® teams are divided into geographic districts across the United States and Canada. 
 
The Division II and III CoSIDA Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2021-22 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CoSIDA Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported through the NAIA national office.
For more information about CoSIDA's Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com on CoSIDA.com.