Cross Country News Releases

Nowak earns 2009 USTFCCA all-academic individual cross country award

MOUNT VERNON - Cornell College head coach Dan Schofer's men's and women's cross country teams received 2009 NCAA Division III all-academic honors by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Rams were one of 153 Division III women's programs selected for this year's award. The Cornell women compiled a 3.54 cumulative grade point average, ranking second among the seven Iowa Conference schools recognized behind Luther (3.58). Whitworth University had the highest overall GPA of 3.73.

A record total 110 Division III men's programs earned all-academic status, including four from the IIAC. The Cornell men carried a 3.14 GPA. Heidelberg topped the men's list with a 3.59 GPA.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award, it must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Region Meet and have a minimum 3.10 GPA.

The Cornell men placed ninth with 197 points at the Central Region Championships last fall. The women took 18th with 526 points.

Sophomore Chase Nowak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Cheyenne Mountain) was honored as a 2009 USTFCCCA all-academic recipient, one of 129 men's cross country runners cited from the past season. To be named to the all-academic list, a runner must carry a 3.3 GPA and finish in the top 35 at their respective NCAA regional meet.

Nowak earned all-region accolades for the first time in his career with a 26th-place showing at the Nov. 14 meet in Grinnell. He was one of five IIAC male runners honored academically, joining three others from Luther and one from Coe.