For the fifth time in program history and the first time since 2014, the University of Delaware women’s track and field/cross country program has an Academic All-America honoree, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Abby Bolt, who is a graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying molecular biology, was named Third-Team Academic All-America, marking the first time since Lindsay Prettyman in 2014 that a Blue Hens women’s track and field/cross country athlete had earned the distinction.

“This is a tremendous honor and something that Abby has put in a lot of work to achieve,” head coach Wendy McFarlane-Smith said. “She is a great example of what our entire program is striving for and exercising with the ‘student first’ model. We’re extremely proud of Abby and earning this recognition.”

In the classroom, Bolt posted a 3.88 grade point average in molecular biology and genetics. On the cross country course and in the track, she helped the Blue Hens earn the highest-ever finish at the 2019 Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championships, earned individual All-CAA honors at the meet and was a qualifier for the 2020 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Championships.

Bolt, who is from Reno, Nevada, completed her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary's College of California. She had athletic eligibility remaining, so she competed for the Blue Hens in 2019-2020 while starting graduate school at UD.