UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., June 2, 2005 - Penn State seniors Chris Foster (Severna Park, Md.) and Kate Johnston (Warwick, R.I.) were named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America All-District II Team for men's and women's track and field and cross country. The honor qualifies both to be among the candidates for selection to the national team later this year.

Foster, who finished third at the 2005 Big Ten Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, graduated in May. He was honored for posting a 3.67 grade-point average in journalism. A top scorer on the cross country team, Foster was also a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier in the steeplechase finishing seventh this season. He also had a strong runner-up finish in the Championship of America division of the Penn Relays earlier this season and anchored the Penn State distance medley relay team that broke an 11-year old Penn State record.

Johnston, who placed third at the 2005 Big Ten Championships in the hammer, earned her second Academic All-District selection. She graduated in May with a 3.84 grade-point average while completing a double major in criminal law and justice and sociology. A team captain, Johnston is a seven-time Big Ten Championship place winner in the weight and hammer throws. She ranks second all-time in the hammer (197-3) and third in the weight throw (61-2 3/4) at Penn State and qualified for two NCAA Championships and three NCAA Regional competitions on her career.