Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams Earn Scholar Team of the Year Recognition

March 8, 2010

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Belmont men's and women's cross country teams were named to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I All-Academic Teams, it was announced over the weekend. It marks the third consecutive year both programs have received the honor.

The men's team compiled a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.37 to garner the recognition. Belmont and Lipscomb (3.49) are the only two Atlantic Sun programs making an appearance on the elite list this year. The Bruins finished 10th at the 2009 NCAA South Regionals held in November. A record total of 135 Division I men's programs received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors, up from 2008's total of 110.

The women's team compiled a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.40 to garner the recognition. The Bruins join only three other Atlantic Sun teams making an appearance on the elite list this year. The others are Lipscomb (3.51), Jacksonville (3.38), and North Florida (3.16). Belmont finished 14th at the 2009 NCAA South Regionals held in November. A record total of 176 Division I women's programs received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors, up from 2008's total of 162.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Championship and also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative GPA.

The entire list of Division I men's teams can be found here: http://www.ustfccca.org/featured/oklahoma-state-declared-as-division-i-men%e2%80%99s-cross-country-scholar-team-of-the-year.

The entire list of Division I women's teams can be found here: http://www.ustfccca.org/featured/villanova-named-division-i-women%e2%80%99s-cross-country-scholar-team-of-the-year.