COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina track and field senior Erika Rucker was named to the Academic All-District Four NCAA Division I Team on Thursday, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

Rucker carries a 3.90 cumulative grade point average as a biological sciences major. She has already earned her undergraduate degree and is now pursuing her masters. To qualify for nomination, student-athletes must be in their second year on campus and at least a sophomore athletically. They also must have a 3.30 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Erika is a six-time All-American and ranks third in school history for the outdoor 800, sixth in the indoor 400, and ninth in the outdoor 400. She was the 2012 SEC Freshman Runner of the Year and also was a 2012 IAAF World Jr. Championships gold medalist in the 4×400 and bronze medalist in the 400. This season, she has qualified for the East Regional championship in the 400 and is also a part of the team’s top 4x400m relay team.

Her academic honors are equally impressive. Rucker is a four-time USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree and four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member. At South Carolina, she has made the Dean’s List and AD Honor Roll.

Rucker now joins the rest of the district honorees on the national ballot to compete against the members of the seven other districts for spots on the three Capital One Academic All-America teams.