NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Missouri Valley Conference announced its 2024 Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team on Tuesday, recognizing five members of Belmont University's men's and women's cross country programs for their academic and athletic achievements.
On the women's side, graduate students Grace Litzinger and Brooke Garter, sophomore Rachel Soukup, and senior Brooke Stromsland earned spots on the Scholar-Athlete Team. On the men's side, graduate student Ethan Hammer was also named to the academic team.
In order to be eligible for the MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team, student-athletes must meet both performance and academic standards. Honorees must finish among the top 20 runners at the conference championship race, hold at least a cumulative 3.50 cumulative grade point average, and be at least a sophomore academically at their school.
Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athletes
Grace Litzinger placed fourth at the MVC Championship hosted by UNI at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She recorded her season-best time of 20:29.9 in the 6K. Litzinger is pursuing a master's degree in English & Global Leadership Studies/MBA and maintains a 3.77 GPA.
Brooke Garter finished eighth with a season-best time of 20:36.9. Garter earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Education with a perfect 4.00 GPA and is now pursuing her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Leadership.
Rachel Soukup secured 14th place in Cedar Falls, running 20:45.7. She is an Exercise Science major and holds an unblemished 4.00 GPA.
Brooke Stromsland crossed the line just after Soukup in 15th with a time of 20:48.0. She is a Nursing major with an impressive GPA of 3.74.
Men's Cross Country Scholar-Athletes
Ethan Hammer finished 11th at the MVC Championship with a personal-best time of 23:51.2. Hammer, who completed his BBA in Economics in May 2024 with a 3.54 GPA, is now pursuing an MBA.
With five scholar-athlete selections, Belmont ties Bradley for the most honorees in the MVC.
The Bruins will next compete at the NCAA South Regional Championships on November 15 in Tallahassee, Florida.
How to Follow
Follow Belmont track and field and cross country on social media - @BelmontXCTF on X, formerly Twitter, @belmontxctf, @belmontthrows, @belmontmxc and @belmontwxc on Instagram, and @BUXCTF on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
#ItsBruinTime
