May 16, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Maryland gymnast Gillian Cote (Fredericksburg, Va.) was named to the Verizon Academic All-America Women's At Large District 2 first team, becoming a candidate for the 2002 Verizon Academic All-American At-Large Team as decided by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The national team will be announced on June 13, 2002.

A classics major, Cote maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout college and was selected as the East Atlantic Gymnastics League Scholar Athlete of the Year in both 2001 and 2002. An NCAA All-American selection in 2001, Cote has also been selected to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastic Coaches/Women (NACGC-W) Scholastic All-American team for two consecutive years in 2000 and 2001.

Senior Maryland field hockey player Autumn Welsh (Macungie, Pa.) earned second team All-America honors. Welsh is a math and education major with a cumulative 3.48 grade point average.

The Academic All-America program celebrates its 50th year in 2002. Since December 6, 1952, over 12,000 student athletes have been acknowledged by the program for their athletic and academic achievements.