Rider Cross Country Honored for High GPA
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has announced the men's and women's teams who earned 2011 Division I All-Academic Cross Country status and both the Rider University men's and women's team were honored.
A total of 205 institutions representing 30 conferences compose the women's group, while 147 institutions representing 30 conferences compose the men's group.
The Rider women's cross country team compiled a 3.59 grade point average, which ranked 18th in the nation.
"This group of women has changed the level of expectations for the cross country program athletically over the last few years," said Rider head coach Bob Hamer. "They have done the same with their academic performance which has been phenomenal over the last few years. I am extremely proud of this group of student athletes."
The Rider men's cross country team compiled a 3.28 team grade point average.
"I challenged the men to improve their academic performance over the past year and they have responded nicely," Hamer said. "We are very fortunate to have student athletes that are serious about their academics and serious about their sport as well."
To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have started at least five runners at their respective NCAA regional championship.
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