March 5, 2009

Both the Santa Clara men's and women's cross country teams have been honored as a 2008 NCAA Division I USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Team, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Thursday. The two Bronco teams were led by Rhodes Scholar Noelle Lopez, a senior who carries a 3.99 grade point average in Philosophy.

The Bronco women carry a 3.170 grade point average and the men carry a 3.138 grade point average.

"We are very proud our runners put the student back in student-athlete," said SCU head cross country coach Tom Service. "They are outstanding students who also work hard in cross country and on the track. It takes the same attributes to be a good student and a good runner: there needs to be focus, dedication and an ability to be able to set short and long range goals. There really are a lot of outstanding cross country runners in the country who are also excellent students and we are honored to have a number of them here at Santa Clara."

A record total of 160 Division I women's programs received the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team honors this year compared to 158 schools from last season. Over 45 % of all Division I institutions (394) that sponsor women's cross country received the honor. A record total of 110 Division I men's programs received the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team honors this year compared to 98 schools earning the honor last season. Over 35% percent of all Division I institutions (315) that sponsor men's cross country received the honor.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they 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.