Three Cavaliers Named to All-ACC Academic Track and Field Team

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GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior Amy Bilmanis, senior Andrew Jesien and junior Ayla Smith have been named to the 2009 All-ACC Academic Track and Field teams, as announced today by Commissioner John D. Swofford.

Bilmanis is making her second appearance on the women’s all-conference academic team. A four-time East Region qualifier in the discus, Bilmanis also earned All-ACC honors in the event in 2007. The Hughesville, Md., native concluded her career ranking sixth in the program’s all-time records in both the discus (164’ 0”) and the hammer throw (150’ 5”).

Jesien, a two-time all-academic men’s team honoree, wrapped up his career on the track as the first-ever Cavalier to compete in the finals of the 1500m at the USA Championships, where he finished seventh. He was the 2008 ACC Champion in the 1500m and earned two All-East Region and two All-ACC honors in the event throughout his career. He holds the third-fastest time in program history in the 1500m (3:41.78) and was also a member of the school record breaking distance medley relay team that earned All-America honors this indoor season – running the 1600m leg.

Smith, earning her third-straight All-ACC Academic Women’s Team honor, put together a record-breaking indoor season before suffering an injury during the outdoor season. Initially tying the school record in the 60m hurdles in her indoor season opener, Smith eventually broke the all-time mark and bettered her time to 8.39 throughout the season. The Winchester, Va., native used an ACC Championship meet record breaking time of 8.40 in the pentathlon hurdles to finish fourth overall in the pentathlon at the conference championships with 3,879 points – Virginia’s third-best all-time performance in the event.