July 8, 2009

Courtesy of the USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Wednesday that Whitworth University was chosen as the 2009 Indoor Track and Field Scholar Team of the Year and the 2009 Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Team of the Year.

Whitworth capped a solid indoor campaign with a program-best third-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships in March. The Pirates capped the 2009 campaign with a sixth-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships to earn both Scholar Team of the Year Awards. The Pirates faired equally well in the classroom, with a 3.327 team cumulative GPA.

Joining Whitworth on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team list were seven other Division III programs that finished in the top 25 at the Division III Indoor National meet and four other teams that finished in the top 25 at the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

DIVISION III ALL-ACADEMIC TRACK AND FIELD TEAMS

In addition to the Scholar Teams of the Year, the USTFCCCA also announced the men’s 2009 Division III All-Academic Track and Field Teams. A total of 51 Division III men’s track and field programs were recognized as 2009 USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Teams. Colorado College recorded the highest overall team GPA with a 3.490, followed by Haverford College, which carried a 3.466 team GPA. Kenyon College recorded the third-highest cumulative GPA with a 3.450 team average.

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the University Athletic Association landed the highest number of member schools on the list, with six schools from each conference attaining All-Academic Track & Field recognition.

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 respective Division III Indoor or Outdoor National Championships and cumulative GPA.

To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.100 cumulative grade-point average.