The Missouri State cross country team was one of nine Missouri Valley Conference squads to be recognized for its work in the classroom Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Bears were tabbed for the USTFCCCA’s All-Academic Team honor for the fourth straight year under head coach Greg Hipp.
“It’s an honor for our girls and our program,” Hipp said. “They’ve worked very hard day-in and day-out and we’re pleased to be able to represent Missouri State University in this manner.”
In all, 158 Division I women’s programs received the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honor out of the 325 teams in Division I that sponsor women’s cross country. For a team to be considered for the award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA regional meet and have a minimum 3.00 cumulative team grade-point average.
The Big 12 Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference had the most programs on the All-Academic Team list with 10 apiece. Along with the Big East Conference and the Big Ten Conference, The Valley’s nine teams on the list represented the second-highest total for an individual conference.
Missouri State posted a 3.28 team GPA in the fall semester and concluded the 2007 campaign with a 13th-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Region Championships after placing second at the MVC meet. The Bears will host the MVC Championship in 2008 and the 2009 NCAA Midwest Regional.
