Outdoor Track and Field

Abilene Christian and Adams State Tabbed as 2008 Division II Women's Track and Field Scholar Teams of the Year

by Keith Nunez, USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS -- July 11, 2008 -- The U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Friday the women's 2008 Division II Track and Field Scholar Teams of the Year.  Adams State College was chosen as the 2008 Indoor Track and Field Scholar Team of the Year while Abilene Christian University was chosen as this year's Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Team of the Year. 

Adams State won their first ever track and field title in Division II in March giving the Grizzlies their first women's track title since 1985 when they won the NAIA title.  Not only did ASC fare well on the track they also fared well in the classroom posting a 3.151 cumulative team grade-point average. 

"Winning titles is hard enough.  But to do that and shine in the classroom, is a tribute to the characters of young people that the ASC coaching staff recruits, motivates and works with.  Our entire campus and community is proud of what they have done," said Grizzly head coach Damon Martin. 

Joining Adams State on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team list were 16 other Division II programs that finished in the top 25 at the Division II Indoor National meet in March. 

Picking up the outdoor academic award is Abilene Christian, which boast a team cumulative GPA of 3.050.  The Wildcats picked up their first women's track and field title since 2000 after besting the 2008 indoor team champion Adams State at the outdoor meet, their first outdoor title since 1999. 

ACU's win capped an already stellar year for the Wildcats as their male teammates also earned the outdoor title.  ACU has swept both team titles seven times with the last sweep coming in 1999.  Fifteen other teams in the top 25 at the outdoor championships were recognized on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team list. 

"Our women's team understands the value of hard work.  They are a great group of young ladies who have aspirations far beyond the world of athletics," said head coach Don D. Hood.  "It will be fun to see the successes they enjoy because of their dedication to their studies."

The University of Tampa recorded the highest overall team GPA with a 3.670, followed by Minnesota State which carried a 3.650 team GPA.  Seattle Pacific, which had the second highest team GPA in 2007, boasts a 3.540 GPA this season. 

A total of 58 Division II women's track and field programs were recognized as 2008 USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Teams.  Eighteen of those 58 schools came from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (nine) and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (nine). 

The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Scholar Teams of the Year award is based on a combination of academic and athletic achievements, with the top honor going to the team that had the combination of best overall finish at the Division II Indoor or Outdoor National Championships and cumulative GPA. 

To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative grade-point average. 

2008 USTFCCCA Division II Women's All-Academic Track and Field Teams: