Wittenberg Cross Country Teams Earn National Academic Awards

Springfield, Ohio – Wittenberg University's men's and women's cross country teams both have earned national recognition for their work in the classroom. The Tiger teams have been named United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III All-Academic Teams after posting exemplary cumulative grade point averages during the fall 2013 semester. 

A total of 215 women's programs and 146 men's programs earned All-Academic Team honors following the 2013 season. Teams qualify for the honor after compiling a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.1 while competing in at least five races during the fall semester. 

Wittenberg's women ranked among the top 30 nationally after posting a tremendous 3.57 cumulative grade point average. The Tiger men weren't far behind, finishing the fall semester at 3.31. Wittenberg was one of 141 schools to have both its men's and women's teams qualify for All-Academic Team honors.

"I am very proud of the efforts of our student-athletes, who have shown tremendous leadership as student-athletes and in the community," said Wittenberg men's and women's cross country and track & field head coach Craig Penney. "It is a goal of our program to succeed in the classroom and on the course, and I continue to be very pleased with the efforts of our student-athletes in both areas."

Wittenberg's women have earned All-Academic Team status in six of the last seven years, while the Tiger men have made the honor roll seven straight years, both dating back to Penney's first season at Wittenberg in 2006.

Wittenberg's men placed ninth in the 2013 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship meet and 19th out of 35 teams in the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional. The Tiger women finished eighth in the league meet and 25th in the regional competition.

Written By: Ryan Maurer