Highlander Cross Country Earns USTFCCCA All-Academic Distinction
2/1/2024 1:42:00 PM | Cross Country
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside men's and women's cross country continued to showcase its excellence in the classroom on Thursday with All-Academic distinction from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).Â
The Highlanders turned in a 3.272 GPA on the men's side and a 3.226 GPA on the women's side. Both teams have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition every year since 2017 (UCR and the Big West did not compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).Â
""Earning high marks in the classroom is a goal for us every year," said assistant coach Zach Newsom, who has been with both programs for every one of their recent USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. "Our staff emphasizes developing well-rounded individuals, and excelling in the classroom is paramount to that vision. A big congratulations goes out to all our student-athletes who made this happen again."
UCR earlier in the year also landed seven men and five women on the Big West All-Academic team.Â
On the course, UC Riverside women earned its highest Big West finish since 2008 led by a fifth-place finish from Big West All-Academic selection Linda Perez. Fellow All-Academic honoree Ashraf Abdelmagid also earned all-conference recognition on the men's side.Â
UCR also won big at the Highlander Invitational, as the men captured their first win in the event since 2014 while Dariana Miramontes set a new home course record in the 6k to lead the women to a third-place finish.
