SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (May 13, 2005) - Marci Miller, a senior at The University of South Dakota, is the only repeat honoree on the 16-member 2004-05 Academic All-North Central Conference Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team, according to an announcement released by the NCC Office on Friday. Miller is one of four Coyotes named to the All-NCC squad with another four USD student-athletes selected Honorable Mention Academic All-NCC. The team was selected by a vote of the NCC's sports information directors.

Miller, one of 14 NCC student-athletes selected as an Honor Athlete by the league office earlier this spring, was picked to the all-league squad for the third straight year. Three USD student-athletes were selected to the Academic All-NCC team for the first time, including senior Amanda Jo Dykstra, Yankton, S.D.; junior Kassy Laber, Parkston, S.D.; and sophomore Stephanie Gebhart of Elkton, S.D. Four Coyotes were named Honorable Mention Academic All-NCC, including seniors Kassidi Bridge, Winner, S.D., and Amber Stoltenburg of Elkton, S.D.; junior Meghan Reifenrath of Rock Rapids, Iowa; and sophomore Heidi Muellenberg, Redfield, S.D. Academic All-NCC Honorees -

Miller of Rapid City, S.D., ranks fifth in the nation in the pole vault (12'06). A five-time All-American, Miller was a key contributor for the USD women's team which captured the 2005 NCC Indoor Track and Field team title. Miller, who has been named NCC Track and Field Athlete of the Week three times this spring, owns seven top-three finishes in the pole vault at NCC championship meets. A three-time Academic All-NCC selection, she is USD's and the NCC's outdoor record-holder in the pole vault (12'08.75). At NCAA Division II national meets, Miller has earned All-American honors by placing third (2004), fourth (2001, 2002, 2003), and sixth (2005). She owns a 3.827 grade point average in communication disorders and psychology and co-founded a memorial for deceased students at USD in cooperation with the USD Student Association. Miller, who was earlier this spring named the USD Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, has served as academic captain of the track and field squad.

Laber, who has a 3.630 grade point average in business, is one of the top 800-meter performers in the NCC. A four-time All-American, Laber has clocked a career-best 2:13.69 in the 800-meters, which ranks 16th in the country this spring. She is also a member of the nationally-ranked 4x400-meter relay squad (eighth, 3:45.53).

Gebhart, who has a 3.205 grade point average in biology (pre-med), is one of the top sprinters in NCAA Division II. A six-time All-American, Gebhart earned NCC Indoor MVP honors in February after helping the Coyotes to the NCC Indoor team title. At the Howard Wood Dakota Relays on May 7, Gebhart turned in the fastest 400-meters time ever run by a female athlete in the state of South Dakota. In claiming the 400-meter title, Gebhart clocked a 54.08, which broke USD's school record (Steph Knight, Mitchell, S.D., 1998) and set a state of South Dakota mark. Gebhart's time in the 400-meter dash ranks third in NCAA Division II. She also ranks sixth in the country in the 200-meter dash with a clocking of 24.27. Gebhart is one of two student-athletes in NCAA Division II with top-six national rankings in both the 200- and 400-meter dashes. In addition, Gebhart is part of the 4x400-meter relay team that ranks eighth in Division II. Gebhart has picked up two NCC Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors this spring.

Dykstra, who has a 3.974 grade point average in psychology (pre-med), owns USD's indoor 60-meter dash mark (7.70). In 2005, Dykstra finished second in the 100-meter dash (12.74) at the Wayne State Wildcat Open and was fourth in the 100-meter dash (12.45) at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays. Honorable Mention All-NCC Honorees -

Stoltenburg, who has a 3.250 grade point average in psychology, ranks 15th in NCAA Division II in the 800-meter run (2:13.31) and is a member of USD's 4x400-meter relay squad that ranks eighth in the country. Earlier this year, Stoltenburg set a NCC record in winning the women's 500-meter run in 1:15.65 (broke 1985 record of 1:16.32) at the 2005 Indoor NCC Championships. She also won the unseeded 800-meter title (2:13.65) at the Kansas Relays this spring. Muellenberg, who has a 3.659 grade point average in biology, is a three-time All-American. Muellenberg, who is also a member of the nationally-ranked 4x400-meter relay (eighth, 3:45.53), finished third in the 200-meter dash and fifth in the 60-meter dash at the NCC Indoor Meet in February. In 2005, she has won 100-meter titles at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays (12.05), Wayne State Triangular (12.41) and the Wildcat Classic (12.14). Bridge, who has a 3.509 grade point average in physical education, was second in the weight throw (53'03) and eighth in the shot put (39'03.75) in helping the USD women's team to a NCC Indoor team title in 2005. She also won the hammer throw (170'08.50) at the Sioux City Relays. Reifenrath, who owns a 4.0 grade point average in political science, is a versatile performer, who competes in the 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and the 800-meter run. She won the 400-meters (1:00.26) at the Wayne State Triangular and finished fifth in the 800-meter run (2:22.57) at the Sioux City Relays. She was third in the 200-meter dash (26.27) at the Simpson Twilight Open held in April.