March 9, 2010

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State cross country team has been honored with a recognition on the 2009 NCAA Division I USTFCCA Women's Cross Country All-Academic Team.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recently made the announcement.

"This is a wonderful honor for the cross country program and I am extremely proud of the entire team," head coach Joe Jaketic said. "For our program to be in elite company on the academic side of things is another indication of the drive and the focus of these student-athletes. I think this shows that our student-athletes are indeed students first and I want to thank the USTFCCA for this recognition and congratulate our entire team as well."

The cross country team has a cumulative grade point average of 3.64, which is the 10th highest GPA among Division I cross country programs.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, it must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.

A total of 176 women's cross country programs earned All-Academic Team status.