Wingate’s Amber Hines Named To Cross Country Academic All-District Team

WINGATE, N.C. -- Wingate University senior cross country student-athlete Amber Hines (Little Mountain, S.C.) has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III track & field/cross country first team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Hines is a three-time honoree, as she earned first team laurels in 2007 and 2008.

District III (college division) includes all non-NCAA Division I schools (Division II, III and NAIA) in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and North and South Carolina. The 12 first team selections advance to the national ballot for 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® honors.

Hines was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® first team pick in 2008. CoSIDA voted her to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® third team in 2007. She is the only South Atlantic Conference women's cross country student-athlete who will have her name on the 2009 national ballot.

Amber Hines is a four-time All-South Atlantic Conference performer. In 2008, she posted six top-10 finishes. Her top times were 19:48 (5K) and 24:29 (6K). Hines finished second at the Greensboro Invitational with a 5K time of 20:19 (Sept. 27).

In 2007, Hines led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II national championship meet at Missouri Southern State University. Wingate placed second in the 2007 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional race (at Wingate) to earn the trip to nationals. The Bulldogs also won the 2007 Food Lion SAC championship meet.

As a junior, Hines recorded three top-five finishes in 2007. Her top 2007 times included an 18:47 5K (pre-national meet, Sept. 15) and a 25:30 6K (NCAA regional meet, Nov. 3). A three-time team MVP, Hines placed second at the 2006 NCAA regional meet (23:38 6K) to earn an individual spot in the national championship race.

Hines was SAC Runner of the Year in 2006, winning the Food Lion SAC championship meet with a 19:39 5K time. She had three first-place finishes during her sophomore season. She was an All-Southeast Region runner the same year.

A frequent volunteer at a local animal hospital, Hines hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. A Biology major, she sports a perfect 4.00 GPA. Hines won the SAC Scholar-Athlete Award two times. The SAC Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to one athlete from each of the conference's 14 sport programs. The award honors student-athletes who represent a combination of athletic skill, academic achievement and participation in community service and leadership activities.

Student-athletes selected for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. They must possess at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). They must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and must have completed at least one full academic year at his or her institution.