For the fourth consecutive year, both the University of Evansville men’s and women’s cross country teams have been honored for their work in the classroom, as both teams have captured Division I Academic All-America teams honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The UE women’s team earned Academic All-America Team honors for the ninth-straight year under head coach Don Walters, as the Purple Aces ranked 15th nationally in terms of grade point average with a 3.602 cumulative team GPA.  The UE men’s team, meanwhile, earned Academic All-America Team honors for the fourth consecutive year under Walters, by posting a 3.328 team grade point average to rank 28th nationally.

“I?am extremely proud of both teams for what they were able to accomplish this past fall, not only on the course, but also in the classroom,” said Walters.  “Both teams really defined the term student-athlete this year by excelling both as students first and as athletes second.  Succeeding both on the course and in the classroom is what UE cross country is all about.”

Overall, 160 women’s teams and 110 men’s teams earned Academic All-America honors from the USTFCCCA this past fall.  To earn Division I Academic All-America Team honors, teams are required to compete in an NCAA regional meet and have at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.