June 24, 2005

PLANO, Texas - UTA senior-to-be track standout Ivorita Taylor was named the 2005 Hibernia Bank/Southland Conference Women's Outdoor Track Student-Athlete of the Year.

The student-athlete of the year is annually presented to the individual in each conference sport who achieves excellence in academics, athletics and community/campus service e. Nominees shall have earned at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average to go along with superior athletics achievement.

Taylor, a business major with a 4.0 GPA., took gold at the SLC Outdoors in the 800 meters with a time of 2:11.95. She also finished second at the conference indoor meet with a 2:16.64 time in the 800. During the season, the native from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, finished first in thee 800 meters at the J.D. Martin Invitational in Norman, Okla., and placed fifth at the College Station Relays in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4;53.85. Taylor also ran a personal-best outdoor time of 2:13.80 in the 800 at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco.

Taylor headlines the 2005 SLC All-Academic teams, which are comprised of 12 student-athletes.

Joining Taylor is distance runner Lisa Haglund, the 2005 SLC 1,500-meter champion. The international business major maintained a 3.85 GPA.

The rest team includes: Jennie Sewell, Sam Houston State; Meghan Chance, Ashley McDonald, Ryanne Dupree and Rosalind Holmes, all of Texas-San Antonio; Crystal Chang of Stephen F. Austin; Sarah Baker of Texas State and Angel Villa of Northwestern State.