Devils Cross Country Programs Named NCAA Division II All Academic Teams by USTFCCCA

New Orleans, La. (2/18/11)- The University of the Sciences men's and women's cross country teams have been selected by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as All-Academic Teams for the 2010 cross country season.

For the USciences women, it marks the eighth consecutive year they have earned Division II All-Academic Team Honors, having earned the honor in each season since becoming NCAA eligible in 2003. The men's team earns the honor for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in the last six seasons.

The women’s team is also one of just four schools in the region to earn this honor in each of the last six years (2005-2010) while the men’s program is one of only three schools to earn the honor in each of the past four years (2007-2010). 

In 2010-11 the men's and women's cross country programs and their runners have now earned a total of 19 academic awards (17 individual and the two team awards).

To qualify for this honor a team must have a cumulative team grade point average through the semester of competition of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale AND the team must have competed and compiled a team score at their respective NCAA regional. The coach must also be a member of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The eligible members of the USP women's cross country team recorded a team cumulative GPA of 3.22 for the Fall 2010 semester while the men's cross country team members recorded a team cumulative GPA of 3.15. The USP women's cross country team's cumulative g.p.a. has been at least 3.0 or better in each of the past 13 seasons under head coach Bob Heller. (25 consecutive semesters).

The women's team was one of just four Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) teams selected and one of 107 teams nationally to earn this honor amongst the 272 division II schools that offer cross country. The USP men's cross country team was one of two CACC school’s honored amongst the 68 schools recognized. The men's team g.p.a. is also ranked fourth amongst East Region teams and 58th nationally.  The women’s team was ranked 11th amongst the region teams honored and 88th nationally.

In 2010, the USP women recorded another successful season with top ten finishes in all five of their six season meets including a first place finish at the Goldey-Beacom Invitational. The Devils placed fifth at the CACC Championships and proceeded to compete at the NCAA East Regional where they finished 21st out of 30 schools competing. Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded a 69-43-1 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.

The USP men also were very successful in 2010, finishing no lower than seventh place in five of their six regular season meets including a first place finish at the Goldey-Beacom Invitational. At the CACC Championship the Devils placed fourth amongst the 10 CACC schools competing. USP culminated their season with a 19th place finish amongst the 29 schools at the NCAA East Regional, equaling their 2009 finish. Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded a 79-35 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.