Thursday, January 30, 2020

NEW ORLEANS – It was an impressive season for Northwest Nazarene and Seattle Pacific on the cross country course and it was just as impressive in the classroom.

The Nighthawks and Falcons finished with the highest grade-point average among Division II women’s programs named as 2019 All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Northwest Nazarene led the way with a 3.85 cumulative GPA to lead 149 NCAA Division II women’s programs recognized by the organization. Four NNU athletes earned individual distinction as USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes: senior Bethany Danner, junior Annalisa Hamilton, sophomore Kalen Johnson and freshman Julia LaMar.

Seattle Pacific registered a 3.83 cumulative GPA. Six Falcons’ runners earned individual distinction as USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes: seniors Kate Lilly, Sedona McNerney and Katherine Walter; juniors Dania Holmberg and Elizabeth Thompson and freshman Kelsey Washenberger.

The GNAC had seven institutions and 21 individuals recognized through the two academic programs. To earn selection as an All-Academic Team, squads must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, and must have compiled a team score at the regional meet. To be named an All-Academic Athlete, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and have finished in the top 30 percent at the regional championship.

Northwest Nazarene and Seattle Pacific joined Concordia, Montana State Billings, Western Oregon and Western Washington in having both its men’s and women’s teams named All-Academic Teams. Simon Fraser also saw its women’s team recognized.

Western Washington saw six individuals, four women and two men named as All-Academic Athletes. Named to the women’s list were seniors Sophia Galvez, Aundrea Koger and Tracy Melville along with sophomore Rebecca Lehman. Men’s honorees included senior Liam Cossette and junior Colton Hoggarth. Western Oregon was represented by seniors Justin Crosswhite and Grace Knapp and sophomore Kaylin Cantu. Central Washington was represented by sophomore Molly Mattson.

USTFCCCA 2019 DIVISION II ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS
Men: Concordia, Montana State Billings, Northwest Nazarene, Seattle Pacific, Western Oregon, Western Washington
Women: Concordia, Montana State Billings, Northwest Nazarene, Seattle Pacific, Simon Fraser, Western Oregon, Western Washington

USTFCCCA 2019 DIVISION II ALL-ACADEMIC ATHLETES
MEN
Northwest Nazarene: Tyler Shea
Western Oregon: Justin Crosswhite
Western Washington: Liam Cossette, Colton Hoggarth

WOMEN
Central Washington: Molly Mattson
Northwest Nazarene: Bethany Danner, Annalisa Hamilton, Kalen Johnson, Julia LaMar
Seattle Pacific: Dania Holmberg, Kate Lilly, Sedona McNerney, Elizabeth Thompson, Katherine Walter, Kelsey Washenberger
Western Oregon: Kaylin Cantu, Grace Knapp
Western Washington: Sophia Galvez, Aundrea Koger, Rebecca Lehman, Tracy Melville