KAYLA FLEMING NAMED A RIAIAW DISTINGUISHED STUDENT-ATHLETE

Providence, RI—Rhode Island College junior Kayla Fleming (Pawtucket, RI) received a Distinguished Student-Athlete Award from the Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (RIAIAW) at a banquet hosted by Providence College this evening.

Fleming epitomizes the definition of a student-athlete, succeeding both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Fleming has been a standout in three sports since transferring to the Anchorwomen in the fall of 2006.

The Pawtucket, R.I. native qualified for the 2008 NCAA Division III Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships this past winter, placing ninth in the high jump with a leap of 1.61 meters, one spot shy of All-American status. Fleming attained All-New England status in the high jump, while winning the Little East Conference Championship in the long jump (5.09 meters). She earned an additional three All-Alliance/LEC honors by placing second, and tying the meet record, in the high jump with a 1.65-meter effort, while also placing second in the 1,000 meters with a time of 3:07.58 and as part of the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 4:17.65.

In just two seasons of track, Fleming currently owns two Rhode Island College indoor records, passing the previous standards in the 800 meters and 1,000 meters, respectively. She set the 800m record in her sophomore season in 2006-07, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:28.41. Fleming also established a new program-best in the 1,000m the same campaign, turning in a time of 3:06.61.

She also advanced to the 2007 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, clearing 1.59 meters in the high jump to finish 14th overall. The two-time All-New England selection earned All-Alliance/LEC honors in five events at the annual meet, highlighted by winning the high jump and placing second in the long jump. Fleming also owns the spring high jump mark with a leap of 1.67 meters, reached at the New England Division III Championships. She was honored as the program’s Most Valuable Player last spring.

Fleming is also an active member of the women’s soccer team, helping Rhode Island College earn the program’s first Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Tournament berth in 2006. In two seasons on the pitch, she has played in 42 games—starting 17 of them. The midfielder has eight career points, registering two goals and four assists.

Speaker Thomas Murphy and the Rhode Island House of Representatives recently named her a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete. Fleming is an elementary education major with a concentration in special education and a 2005 graduate of Tolman High School.

She owns a 3.11 cumulative GPA as an elementary education major with a concentration in special education.

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