NEW ORLEANS -- Champions in competition and in the classroom. Following a terrific year on the course, the Augustana Cross Country team earned eight spots on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Teams. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet.

Both programs also earned the honor of being named a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, which is earned by having a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 and compile a team score at their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers. 

The Viking women's cross country program led the way with six selections. Claire Boersma (English, Secondary Education), Patty Jo English (History, Government & International Affairs), Rachel Rairdon (Business Administration, Accounting), Rebekah Rairdon (Business Administration, Accounting), Cait Savey (Elementary Education), and Nicolette Schmidt (Elementary Education, Special Education) earned the honors. 

As a team, the Augustana women compiled a 3.64 GPA, which stands 31st in the Nation for DII Cross Country.  

On the Men's side, the Vikings earned a pair of All-Academic awards in Nathan Schroeder (Accounting) and Matt Steiger (Accounting, Finance). As a team, the Vikings GPA checked in at an impressive 3.19.

The Augustan Cross Country teams recently wrapped up another highly successful season, with both programs placing sixth overall at the 2019 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships. Following a regional title earlier this year, head coach Tracy Hellman Selected as Central Region Women's Coach of the Year.

About the USTFCCA
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents thousands of coaching members encompassing NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, and DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high school coaches associations.