The University of Vermont Men's and Women's Cross Country teams, as well as the University of New Hampshire Women's team, earned All-Academic team status, and two individuals received Academic All-America status it was announced recently by the United States Cross Country Coaches Association (USCCCA).
To qualify for this honor, a team must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00. All teams that earned a 3.25 GPA or above are designated as an All-Academic Cross Country Team, With Distiction. Both the Vermont men's and women's teams received With Distinction recognition.
The Catamount women's team posted a cumulative GPA of 3.48, which ranked them 25th out of 84 teams that received With Distinction honors. The men's team posted a 3.3 team GPA which ranked them 15th out of 23 With Distinction designees. The New Hampshire women's squad was also honored, posting a 3.14 cumulative GPA, which put the Wildcat women's team in a tie for 106th place.
In addition, two America East cross country runners received USCCCA Academic All-American status. In order to qualify, an individual must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25; be a sophomore, junior, or senior; and placed in the Top 15 (or top 10%) of their NCAA regional meet or be an NCAA All-American if not in the top 15 or 10% of their regional meet. Stony Brook University senior Jenny Payne and Vermont junior Michelle Palmer both received his honor.
Payne, a Biology major who carried a 3.88 GPA, won the America East individual title, advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships on the basis of her eighth place finish in the regional meet, and earned All-America status based upon her 23rd place finish at the NCAA Championship.
Palmer, an Environmental Studies major, posted a 3.74 GPA, placed second behind Payne at the America East Championship, and 13th at the regional meet.