BELLINGHAM, Wash. – It was a record breaking year in competition for the Western Washington University Cross Country program and just as impressive in the classroom with both teams earning the prestigious U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Team Academic Award.

 

In addition to both teams earning the academic award for a cumulative GPA above 3.0, six student-athletes earned individual recognition as USTFCCCA scholar athletes:

 

 

In competition during the 2019 season, the Vikings swept the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships for the first time in program history and both teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in Sacramento, California.

 

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.

 

WWU's six USTFCCCA All-Academic awards tied for the most amongst GNAC schools, with Seattle Pacific also landing six student-athletes on the team (all women). WWU, SPU, Montana State Billings, Western Oregon and Concordia were the five GNAC schools to earn the team academic award from the USTFCCCA.

 

Fans can follow WWU Cross Country online at WWUVikings.com/XC, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUTFXC), Instagram (@WWUTFXC) and Facebook (@WWUTFXC).