Kunkel selected Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete

MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Danielle Kunkel has been named the recipient of the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Award.

Kunkel, a senior from Cuba City, Wis. (Southwestern), is majoring in psychology with a minor in art and maintains a 3.59 grade point average.  She has been selected to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team and is a three-time member of the WIAC scholastic Honor Roll. Kunkel has been named to UW-Platteville's Dean's List and Chancellor's Honor Roll.

A team captain, Kunkel finished second at the 2013 WIAC championship after placing fourth in 2011.  She claimed All-Midwest Region honors with a 12th-place finish at the 2011 regional.  Kunkel was also selected her team's MVP following the 2011 season.

Kunkel has volunteered with her team's community service project in raking leaves for senior citizens, as well as spending time with Family Advocates and the Platteville Senior Center.  She has also worked as a desk worker/supervisor at the Pioneer Activity Center.

Also nominated for this year's award were:  UW-Eau Claire's Monica Emerson (Sr., Somerset, Wis.); UW-La Crosse's Laura Mead (Sr., Andover, Minn.); UW-Stout's Josephine Petersson (Sr., Brookfield, Wis./Central); and UW-Whitewater's Megan Buse (Jr., Franklin, Wis./Oak Creek).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98.  Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October 1984 - September 1996.  Kruckman was the women's athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average.  In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

Written by: Matt Stanek, WIAC Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations