Grad Student Nabs Top Academic, Sport Honours
October 23, 2008 - News Release
A University of Guelph graduate student is among an elite group of Canadian scholars honoured today for both athletic and academic accomplishment. Brae Anne McArthur was named a Desjardins Top Eight Academic All-Canadians by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS).
The honour is awarded annually to eight students — one female and one male student-athlete from each of the four CIS regional associations. To be eligible, students must already be Academic All-Canadians, a status bestowed on university athletes who maintain an average of at least 80 per cent while competing for a varsity team. More than 2,000 Canadian students achieved this status in the 2007/2008 season.
An exceptional all-around athlete, McArthur is the two-time Guelph track and field MVP. She holds the University's record in the pentathlon and ranks third all-time at Guelph in the high jump and long jump. This season, she was the CIS pentathlon bronze medallist, the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) high-jump bronze medallist, OUA pentathlon silver medallist and an OUA All-Star.
McArthur is completing the master's portion of a PhD in child clinical psychology. She maintained an academic average of 87.94 per cent as a master's student, earning CIS Academic All-Canadian honours for the third time. She earned a bachelor's degree in 2006 from U of G.
"Brae Anne is an exceptional athlete, one of the better varsity athletes in the country in her sport," said Tom Kendall, director of athletics. "To combine that with a rigorous academic program at the graduate level speaks volumes about her dedication and commitment to the discipline. It's just outstanding."
