FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams

USTFCCCA All-Academic Individuals

Feb. 14, 2014 - The North Central College men's cross country program has been honored for its academic success during the 2013 season, earning NCAA Division III All-Academic honors by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Posting a team grade-point average of 3.12, the Cardinals are one of 146 Division III men's squads to be named one of the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Teams. North Central is one of five College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) teams to make the list, joining Augustana College, Elmhurst College, Illinois Wesleyan University and North Park University.

The Cardinals also had three individuals, John Crain, Tim Hird and Troy Kelleher, receive All-Academic honors as individuals. The individual All-Academic Award honors those student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade-point average and must finish in the top 25 percent at their respective NCAA regional meet. In total, 228 athletes representing 95 institutions earned the award.

Crain, a sociology major, won five of the seven races in which he competed in 2013, claiming individual titles at the CCIW and Midwest Region Championship meets. He placed second at the Division III National Championships in November, earning All-America honors for the second consecutive season. He was named the Midwest Region Athlete of the Year.

Hird, who majors in sport management, turned in a fourth-place finish at the CCIW Championships and an 18th-place showing at the Midwest Regional before crossing the line 33rd at the national championships to earn his first All-America certificate in cross country.

Kelleher, an English major, also claimed All-America honors this season by placing 35th at the national championships. He also placed 10th at the CCIW Championships and 14th at the Midwest Region Championships. All three Cardinals were Academic All-CCIW selections this fall as well.

A total of six student-athletes from the CCIW were honored. Joining North Central's trio are Keith Sands and Isaac Trostle of Augustana College and Will Cross of Elmhurst College.

North Central placed second at the 2013 national championships, giving the Cardinals 15 national titles and 15 runner-up showings in 40 years of Division III competition. North Central also won the Midwest Region Championship for the sixth straight year and won its 40th consecutive CCIW team title.