Thirty SAC Women's Cross Country Student-Athletes, Six Teams Named USTFCCCA All-Academic

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced their 2022 NCAA Division II Individual and Team Academic Awards on Thursday, Jan. 26. Six South Atlantic Conference teams were represented on the women's list, with 30 runners receiving recognition. 

In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers.

Overall, there were 417 women from 124 different institutions who were named All-Academic Athletes for their efforts during the 2022 season. Lenoir-Rhyne led the way for the SAC with seven honorees. Anderson and Catawba each had six, Wingate had five, Lincoln Memorial had four, and Carson-Newman rounded out the SAC with two honorees. 

There were 146 different programs who were named All-Academic Teams for their efforts during the 2021 season. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period and compile a team score at their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers.

The SAC schools accounted for six of the women's teams. Anderson, led by Head Coach Kevin Eagle, earned a 3.805 GPA. Carson-Newman, under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Spooner, collected a 3.43 GPA. Jason Bryan's Catawba women earned a 3.52 GPA. Lenoir-Rhyne, led by Kevin Paterson, recorded a 3.415 GPA. Lincoln Memorial, coached by Jeff Kavalunas, earned a 3.68 GPA, and Head Coach Pol Domenech's Wingate Bulldogs tallied a 3.415 GPA. 

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