Terre Haute, Ind.----Wingate University junior defender Chelsey Horan (Waxhaw, N.C.) has been named to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District III women’s soccer first team (college division), selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A Marvin Ridge High School product, Horan earns Academic All-District III honors for the second year in a row.
 
“I am delighted to see Chelsey get recognition for her work on and off the soccer field,” Wingate head coach Gary Curneen says. “She is a fantastic athlete, student and person. We are very proud to have her in our program and congratulate her on her remarkable achievement.” 
 
Horan is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. This year, Wingate (14-1-1 overall) has won 11 matches in a row entering Friday’s Food Lion South Atlantic Conference semi-finals. Horan has one goal and one assist as the Bulldog defense has allowed only 17 goals this season (1.05 GAA).
 
Wingate won the 2011 Food Lion SAC tournament, allowing only 25 goals en route to a school-record 16 victories and a first-ever NCAA Division II play-off berth. As a freshman, Horan led the 2010 Bulldogs with three match-winning goals as Wingate advanced to the SAC tourney title match for the first time. During her three-year career, the Bulldogs are 43-8-4 overall. Horan has played in every match (55) with 48 starts.
 
A active member of Wingate’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Horan is one of two South Atlantic Conference student-athletes on the 13-person team. Lincoln Memorial University sophomore forward Nicole McKinney (Ooltewah, Tenn.) joins Horan on the honor squad. Horan, McKinney and the other 11 team members will advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® national ballot.
 
District III (college division) includes NCAA Division II schools from the Conference Carolinas, the Peach Belt Conference and the South Atlantic Conference. The members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (by districts) select the Capital One Academic All-District women’s soccer teams.
 
On Friday, Horan and her Bulldog teammates will face Tusculum in the Food Lion SAC tournament semi-finals. Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m. at the Manchester Meadows complex in Rock Hill, S.C. Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba will battle in Friday’s other semi-final. The two winners play Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 6th “best value” in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves 2,648 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy and education. With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 20 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000’s with 50 selections. Among North Carolina’s colleges and universities, Wingate’s 50 Academic All-America® honorees are first during this millennium. Wingate’s 59 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.