Strode Named ESPN Academic All-District

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback netter Blake Strode has been selected to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team for the university division of District VI. This is the second such honor for the Arkansas junior during his career as he was also recognized following his sophomore season. Strode is one of 10 selections to the team.

Strode carries a 3.96 grade point average as a double major in international economics and Spanish. He is enrolled in the Honors College and a recipient of the prestigious Bodenhamer Fellowship. Following the Razorbacks’ regular-season play, Strode was named the 2008 Southeastern Conference Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year.

In addition to his academic achievements, the St. Louis, Mo., native serves the university and community as a member of the Walton College Dean’s Student Advisory Board, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Arkansas Athletes Outreach (AAO).

Strode, the Razorbacks’ No. 1 player, has racked up 71 career singles victories, including a 17-win tally and four wins over ranked opponents this past season. He was named the conference player of the week in March after two dual-clinching wins against then-No. 22 Vanderbilt and –No. 55 Kentucky.

With the all-district selection, Strode will be considered for Academic All-America honors when voting begins next week.

District VI Winners

University Division

Name School Class Major

Arnau Brugues Tulsa Jr. Exercise Sports Science

Michael Buttacavoli Rice So. Mathematical Economic Analysis

Gustave Diep New Mexico St. So. Pre-medicine

Ondrej Krivka SE Louisiana Grad. Management/MBA

Matt McGinnis Texas Sr. Radio/Television/Film

Juan Carlos Nunez UALR Sr. Speech

Vladimir Paunic SE Louisiana Sr. Finance

Blake Strode Arkansas Jr. International economics and Spanish

Bojan Szumanski Texas Tech Sr. Personal Financial Planning

Matthias Wellermann Ole Miss Sr. Business