June 3, 2011
Sophomores Jeff Veiga (Lowell, Mass.) and Kelly Walton (Nahant, Mass.) were each named to the Capital One Academic All-District Team, released Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Veiga was named to the Men’s College Division District 1 (Northeast) First Team while Walton was cited to the women’s Second Team. By virtue of his first team status, Veiga is now eligible for Academic All-America honors to be announced later this month.
Veiga and Walton are the second and third UMass Lowell student-athletes to earn Capital One Academic All-District plaudits this year. Last week, senior field hockey standout Lizzy Ales (Arlington, Mass.) was named to the College Division At-Large Third Team.
The Capital One College Division Track and Field Academic All-District teams encompass student-athletes from both NCAA Division II and III schools. Student-athletes, sophomores and older, must maintain a 3.30 cumulative grade point average and be a significant contributor to his or her team.
UMass Lowell’s Lester H. Cushing Award for men’s athlete of the year, Veiga enjoyed a storied cross country season followed by a stellar campaign in the outdoor track and field season.
He highlighted the cross country season by placing third individually at the NCAA Championship, marking UMass Lowell’s highest individual finish since the River Hawks captured the 1991 NCAA Championship with runners in second through fourth places.
Along the way, Veiga won the individual championship and led UMass Lowell to its fifth consecutive NCAA East Region crown. He was named the Division II East Region Men’s Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Additionally, Veiga placed second overall and the Northeast-10 Conference Championship and earned All-New England status when he placed ninth among 318 Division I, II and III runners at the New England Championship.
After sitting out the indoor track and field season, Veiga enjoyed a stellar outdoor campaign, qualifying for the NCAA Championship in both the 10,000 and 5,000 meters. He placed 14th in the 5,000 meters in 14:40.68 and 16th in the 10,000 meters (31:04.62) last week at the NCAAs.
Veiga captured the New England Championship in the 10,000 meter with a time of 31:05.76, which sealed his place at the NCAA Championship.
Walton emerged as UMass Lowell’s top runner during the cross country season, capturing All-East Region and All-NE-10 honors for the second straight year. She placed seventh among 187 runners at the NCAA East Region Championship and preceded with a fourth-place showing at the NE-10 Championship, leading UMass Lowell to second place.
Walton recently earned All-USTFCCCA East Region honors in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:47.74, for posting one of the fastest five times in the region.
The honor is the latest of a handful this year for Walton, who was recently named UMass Lowell’s student-athlete of the year for the sport of women’s cross country.
