Aug. 23, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
The 2003 Santa Clara University women's cross country team earned Academic All-America honors from the Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association. The Broncos boasted a 3.531 team GPA to rank 11th in the country. Santa Clara ranked one spot ahead of West Coast Conference foe Portland, which has a 3.530 team GPA. 2003 Santa Clara graduate Cara Payne led the way for the Broncos in the classroom. Her 3.32 GPA in French helped her earn West Coast Conference All-Academic honors a year ago. Seniors Robin Bell and Katie Hansen were also instrumental in SCU's academic success. Bell, who is a two-time WCC All-Academic selection, has a 3.96 GPA in mechanical engineering. Hansen's 3.74 GPA in communication also led her to a WCC All-Academic award in 2003. After finishing in a program-best 13th-place at the NCAA West Regionals last season, the Santa Clara runners are looking forward to starting the 2004 season. The Broncos will kick-off their year with the annual Bronco Invitational on September 4 at Crystal Springs Cross Country Course in Belmont, Calif.
