Austin Peay State University women’s track and field seniors Carrie Burggraf and Shamai Larsen were each named to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-District IV First Team as selected by CoSIDA, the association announced, Wednesday.
Burggraf, a Marion, Ohio native, finished her career with a 4.0 grade-point average and earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and history.
Off the field, Burggraf recently became the first Ohio Valley Conference student-athlete to receive the Steve Hamilton Award – the annual award is based upon significant athletics performance along with good sportsmanship and citizenship – twice during their career. She also was awarded the prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship, which is awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition.
On the field, Burggraf posted a 13-05 pole vault in the OVC outdoor championships, shattering her own OVC championship record and claiming her sixth championship. She also qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field championships for a third consecutive season.
Larsen, a Dillingham, Alaska native, also graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in health and human performance.
Larsen was recently commissioned as a second lieutenant during Austin Peay’s Spring Commencement. She was one of eight recipients (out of 4,700 Army ROTC seniors nationally) of the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of Achievement, presented to ROTC cadets who demonstrate scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects to stimulate the development of leadership.
Larsen also was one of only two ROTC juniors to receive the Palla Athene Award, presented for overall excellence as an Army ROTC Cadet and College Student. She also received Austin Peay’s Megenthall Award for outstanding performance as a student and brining recognition to the university through their achievements and service.
Both Burggraf and Larsen will now appear on the national ballot for Academic All-American consideration which will be announced Thursday, June 24th.
To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must have reached sophomore academic standing and have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average. District IV selections come from schools located within the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
