Former Hays High star track and field athlete, Kellie Trinkaus, was one of three members of the Texas State University Track and Field squad voted to the 2012 Southland Conference All-Academic Team.
Senior Elena Horn and Trinkaus, a junior, were chosen from the women’s team, while junior Timothy Young was a selection on the men’s side.
Trinkaus picked up her first all-academic selection in her second season with the Bobcats.
She has a perfect 4.0 grade point average in exercise and sports science. This season, she ran the second fastest 400 meters time (56.03) for Texas State and was a member of the 1600-meter relay team that advanced to the NCAA Regional Meet.
“I never expected do to this well academically heading into college,” said Trinkaus, who transferred to Texas State from Texas A&M-College Station in January 2011. “I didn’t think I could accomplish what I have. I think I’ve surprised a lot of people. I go straight from the track to study each evening, and always put academics first.”
Trinkaus, a 2009 Hays High graduate, advanced to the UIL Class 4A Track and Field Meet in Austin during her junior season as a Lady Rebel in both the long jump and 400-meter dash.
Now, with only one year of eligibility remaining, Trinkaus hopes the upcoming 2012-13 track season is her best ever in college.
“Because this is my last year I’m really going to go for it,” Trinkaus said. “I hope to set a personal best in the 400-meters and to go to the NCAA Regionals in both the 400 and the 1600-meter relay. I know I have to stay dedicated both on and off the track to reach those goals.”
Trinkaus said after she graduates from Texas State University she plans on attending nursing school.
Horn is a two-time all-academic selection after also receiving the honor last season. A native of Biberg, Germany, Horn maintained a 3.57 GPA in mathematics during her time at Texas State when she was a four-time Southland Conference champion in the pole vault and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District performer.
Horn won her fourth conference pole vault title during the 2012 outdoor season when she cleared a personal-best 4.15 meters.
Young is a first-time selection in his third season with Texas State. A native of Dallas, Young has a 3.27 GPA in mathematics and was named Texas State’s co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year for 2011-12.
On the track, Young was the High Point Scorer at the 2012 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships where he posted 27.5 points for the team while capturing the conference title in the 100-meter dash. He also placed third in the 110-meter hurdles, fourth in the 200 meters, sixth in long jump and was a member of the first place 400-meter relay team and fifth-place 1600-meter relay team.