NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) have announced the 2019 cross country team academic awards, with both of the San José State men's and women's teams earning All-Academic nods.
To be eligible for the award, a team must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and must have had at least five runners compete at the NCAA regional championship meet in November.
"It's really great to see both teams earn this accomplishment," head coach Brad Wick says. "The goal is to get it every year and it's nice to keep the athletics at a high level while backing it up with elite academics. I think the two really go hand in hand."
The San José State women's team recorded a 3.29 GPA during the fall 2019 semester. Meanwhile, the Spartan men's team finished the semester with a 3.09 GPA.
"We are proud of our Spartans who displayed elite academic rates this past fall," says Eileen Daley, senior associate athletics director for academic and student services. "Our student-athletes continue to succeed in the classroom and it is a welcome sight whenever they receive national recognition. We have high standards and goals for all of our students and our sincere investment in their academic achievement is continuing to pay off."
Senior Jennifer Sandoval led the Spartans at the NCAA West Regional Championships, crossing the finish line in 10th with a time of 20:09.8. It was another senior - Jose Piña - who paced the team on the men's side, finishing in 30:14.4 for a 27th place finish.
Sandoval completed the best individual season in school history one week later at the NCAA Championships, becoming the first-ever Spartan to compete in the national title race with a time of 21:08.2 in the 6k.