NEW ORLEANS – Something that is impressive on it’s own can become spectacular with a single addition. Take mashed potatoes and gravy for example, peanut butter and jelly, or even the seventies R&B duo Peaches & Herb. Chico State track and field athletes Ryan Bertucci, Tim Cannon, Angel Marquez and David Wellman have the Peaches and the Herb. All four not only met the NCAA Division II automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event, but they also compiled a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. By achieving both of those honors, they each earned a spot on the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Track and Field team.

Bertucci finished fourth in the nation in the high jump at May’s National Championships. Cannon and Marquez represented Chico State at the NCAA Championships in the 5,000-meters, and Wellman missed out on a spot in the 800-meter National Championships by one-tenth of a second. Wellman was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team last month.

A total of 136 student-athletes representing 56 Division II colleges and universities made up the 2009 All-Academic team.

For the second straight year Grand Valley State led the way with the most student-athletes on the list with seven, followed by Adams State and The University of Findlay with six apiece. With its four student-athletes, Chico State tied for fourth on the list.