Mars Hill Cross Country Teams Named Academic All-American; Individual Runners Also Achieve All-American Status

Men's Cross Country
MARS HILL, NC - For the third time the men's cross country team achieved Academic All-American Honors with their highest Team grade point average ever. This year's freshman class led the way both in the classroom and throughout the season of competition.

In addition, three of the men were named individual Academic All-Americans. Senior Captain Rocky Oakes (Franklin, NC) was honored for the second straight year along with junior Steven Pearce (Rocky Point, NC). They are the first two men's runners at Mars Hill to earn back-to-back honors. Also earning individual honors was freshman James Thompson (Demorest, GA).

Joining Rocky, Steve and James on the team award were Daniel Amick (Swansea, SC), Phillip Bost (Greenville, SC), Carson Byrd (Galax, VA), Bud Casey (New Smyrna Beach, FL), Brendan Crim (Winter Park, FL), Craig Eckstein (Cincinnati, OH), Nathan Geisler (Black Mountain, NC), Ben Jackson (Lexington, SC), Jeff Jenkins (Winter Haven, FL), Bobby Messier (Hampton, VA), Chris Rischke (Oberursel, Germany), Dustin Shinholser (Watkinsville, GA), Corey Simons (Franklin, NC), Todd Tinker (Statesboro, GA) and Tim Townsend (Elizabethton, TN).

Women's Cross Country
MARS HILL, NC - For the sixth straight year the Lady Lions Cross Country Team achieved Academic All-American status. This prestigious honor is presented annually by the NCAA Division II Cross Country Coaches Association and recognizes those teams with outstanding team grade point averages (GPA).

In addition four individual runners earned Academic All American honors. This award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievement. Each athlete must finish in the top 30% at the NCAA Division II Region Meet and maintain an outstanding GPA.

Leading the way was freshman Rachel Retallick (Crewe, VA) with a perfect 4.0 GPA, one of only a handful in the entire nation. Also named were senior Stacy Mark (New Carlisle, IN), junior Greta Statler (Del Ray Beach, FL) and sophomore Tabatha Lee (Marion, VA).

Joining Rachel, Stacy, Greta and Tabatha on the team were Oshea Anderson (Roslindale, PA), Robin Anderson (Morganton, NC), Laura Crigger (Knoxville, TN), Marta Edwards (Charlotte, NC), Chelsea Haines (Galax, VA) Liz Jamison (Clemson, SC), Jennifer Rogers (Melbourne, Australia) and Jennifer Wright (Murfreesboro, TN).