It was announced earlier today that junior Vanessa Blanchard (Palmdale, CA) of the University of Redlands was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Team.  She is one of 10 student-athletes from NCAA Division III to collect this honor for District 8 and the only individual from the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).  She is now eligible for CoSIDA Academic All-America consideration, which will be announced later this month.

While reeling in her first CoSIDA award of her Bulldog tenure, this talented high jumper currently sits just one inch shy of the school record with a career-best height of 5-7.  A two-time conference champion in the event, she also gained back-to-back All-West Region honors from the U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).  As a Biology major with plans for medical school, Blanchard is a three-time Redlands Scholar-Athlete and a repeat member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and Individual honoree.

Following her NCAA All-America showing in 2016, she looks forward to representing Redlands at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the second time when she competes on Friday in Geneva, OH.

For a complete list of the CoSIDA Academic All-District selections, please visit the CoSIDA website.