PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers senior defender Nina Montero (Vineland, N.J.) was named to the ESPN The Magazine District II All-Academic First Team, the publication announced Thursday. It marks the second consecutive year that Montero has received First Team honors, and the third straight-season she has been named to an All-Academic team.
“Nina has been the epitome of student-athlete,” said head coach Glenn Crooks. “She is a two-year captain who has often served as the team spokesperson both on and off the field. She is organized, efficient and plays with her heart as well as her mind.”
The senior was selected to the ESPN The Magazine District II All-Academic Second Team her sophomore year and the first team her junior season. She is also a four-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star. Montero holds a 3.95 GPA while majoring in English with a minor in philosophy. She plans to pursue a career as a college professor after graduation.
Montero is a two-time team captain and a key member of a defense that has shut out nine opponents in 2008. The Scarlet Knights rank 17th nationally in goals-against average, posting a 0.618 mark. Montero has started all 19 games and has recorded two assists from her defensive spot. She was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Sept. 29 after leading an RU defense that allowed only two goals in three games.
