Helmi Leppanen Named Academic All-District

June 23, 2005

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University junior Helmi Leppanen has been honored as an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 6 selection as voted on by the region's Sports Information Directors. The team recognizes the combination of athletic and academic excellence.

A product of Kerava, Finland, Leppanen finished third in the shot put with a school record throw (15.17m) at the Conference USA Outdoor Championships. She also added a fourth-place finish in the javelin at the league championship and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships in both events. At the regionals in Bloomington, Ind., she finished 21st in the shot put and 15th in the javelin. She earned her bachelor's degree in May with a double major in finance and marketing and a minor in Spanish.

"This is a well-deserved honor," Tulane head track and field coach Heather Van Norman said. "She is the epitome of the true student-athlete. She takes of business in the classroom and she takes care of business on the track. I am excited to have her back for her final season."

Leppanen, who completed her indoor track eligibility this year, redshirted the 2003 outdoor track season due to a shoulder injury and will return as a graduate student for the 2006 season to try and improve on her 11 all-conference selections. In addition to holding the Tulane record in the shot put, both indoors and outdoors, she owns the Green Wave record in the javelin. As a freshman, she advanced to the NCAA National Championships in the javelin, finishing 15th. She is also a four-time Conference USA Academic Honor Roll selection.

She is one of seven Green Wave student-athletes to be named to Academic All-District Teams this year and she follows former Tulane track standout Birka Wicke, who was selected to the team last year.

Players Mentioned

Helmi Leppanen

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