June 4, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas track & field junior Lauren Bonds has been named a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team honoree, it was announced Thursday. The distinction is given to those who excel in the classroom and in their respective athletic events.

Bonds, a junior political science & international studies major from Hutchinson, Kan., has qualified for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 1,500 meters with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. Bonds holds the third-fastest time in school history in the 1,500 meters (4:20.95). She was named Academic All-Big 12 First Team this season for the second time, holding a 4.0 grade point average.

CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District nominees must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and have competed in a standard proportion of their team's meets.

Bonds along with Keith Hayes, Zlata Tarasova and Nickesha Anderson will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 10-13.