Feb. 9, 2018
USTFCCCA Releases: Team Academic | Individual Academic
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's and women's cross country teams, as well as four individuals, were recognized for their strong work in the classroom by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday afternoon.
The Penn State women's cross country team was recognized with the NCAA DI Cross Country Team Academic Award boasting a team GPA of 3.48, while the men's team earned honors turning in a team GPA of 3.04. The women's cross country team recorded the highest team GPA of among the 31-varsity programs at Penn State for the 2017 fall semester.
Individually, women's squad members Jillian Hunsberger, Greta Lindsley, Kathryn Munks and Alison Willingmyre were recognized as Individual All-Academic.
The women's team wrapped up the 2017 season at the NCAA Championships with an 18th-place finish, recording a top-20 finish in three-consecutive seasons at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1991-94. For the first time since the 2014 season, Penn State was represented on the men's side by Colin Abert and Timothy McGowan who qualified individually for the NCAA meet.
To be eligible for the team award, teams must have a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.0. To earn the individual award, student-athletes must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and finish in the top-25 at NCAA Regionals or as an All-American (top-40) at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
For more on Nittany Lion cross country, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateTFXC.