June 22, 2006

Duquesne University's Melissa Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) has been named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Women's Cross Country / Track & Field Academic All-America Third Team as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Stewart is the fifth Duquesne University student-athlete to be chosen to the national team joining Ryan Esdale (football), Noah Salsi (soccer), Steve Maiolo (baseball) and Bob Healy (xc/track).

Stewart, a senior, earns her first national honor and is a two-time District 2 award winner earning first team honors this season a spot on the 2003-04 squad. She was named one of 10 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference picks this year and secures the Dukes' throws. Stewart boasts a 3.97 grade point average majoring in health management systems.

She won silver in the discus, placed fifth in the shot put and seventh in the hammer at the 2006 Atlantic 10 outdoor championship. A 2003 and 2004 NCAA regional qualifier in the discus, she earned All-East honors in 2003 taking sixth in the discus at the ECAC Championship. Stewart has been an ECAC qualifier each season and holds the Dukes' school record in the indoor shot put (44' 3.50") and the outdoor marks in the shot put (45' 8.50") and discus (160' 9"). A Dean's List student, she is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, SAAC, Pre-Health Student Organization, Director of Athletics' and A-10 Commissioner's Honor Rolls.

To be eligible for the National Academic All-America award, a student-athlete must have been a first team District selection. All nominees must be at least a sophomore at their institution, be a starter or important reserve and have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
2005-06 Academic All-America Honorees
National Team Selections (5)

Football
Ryan Esdale
National Second Team

Men's Soccer
Noah Salsi
National First Team

Baseball
Steve Maiolo
National Third Team

Cross Country / Track & Field
Bob Healy
National Second Team

Melissa Stewart
National Third Team