GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman senior Lee Gilmer has been selected to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-American Division I Men's Track/Cross Country Third Team, as announced today by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Gilmer becomes only the second Paladin in the history of the men's track and field/cross country program to earn a spot on the team, joining Yuri van der Heijden, who earned honorable mention accolades in 2001.
A native of Mobile, Ala., Gilmer graduated in May with a 3.94 G.P.A. and was a double major in history and philosophy with an emphasis in poverty studies. During the 2011 indoor season, he set a new Paladin record with a time of 1:53.00 in the 800m then broke his own record in the outdoor mile this past spring, posting a time of 4:04.36 in the Blue Shoes Elite Mile race. He anchored the Furman 4x800m and 4x1500m relay teams that also established new school records.
The recipient of Furman's 2012 Student-Athlete Achievement Award, Gilmer was an All-Southern Conference selection in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He was named to the Division I All-Academic Track and Field Team his sophomore year and is a member of the SoCon Academic Honor Roll.
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 15,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. Nominations and voting for the Academic All-America programs are conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.