Courtesy of Bob Heller, USP SID

New Orleans, La.  (3/4/09)- The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia men's and women's cross country teams have been selected by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as All-Academic Teams for the 2008 season.

For the USP women, it marks the sixth consecutive year they have earned Division II All-Academic Team Honors, having earned the honor in each season since becoming NCAA eligible in 2003.  The men's team earns the honor for the second consecutive year and third time in the last four seasons.

To qualify for this honor a team must have a cumulative team grade point average through the semester of competition of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Athletes must have competed in at least 50% of their teams' cross country competitions and the team must have competed at their respective NCAA regional. The coach must also be a member of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

The eligible members of the USP women's cross country team recorded a team cumulative GPA of 3.330 for the Fall 2008 semester while the men's cross country team members recorded a team cumulative GPA of 3.254.

The women's team was one of just two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) teams selected and one of 99 teams nationally to earn this honor amongst the 272 division II schools that offer cross country. Georgian Court University also earned the honor. The women's team g.p.a. of 3.330 is third best amongst East Region teams and ranked 53^rd nationally. The USP men's cross country team is the sole CACC representative amongst the 58 schools nationally selected.  The men's team g.p.a. is ranked second amongst East Region teams and 20^th nationally.

In 2008, the USP women recorded top ten finishes in all five of their regular season meets.  The Devils placed sixth at the CACC Championships, had one runner named to the All-Conference Team and proceeded to compete at the NCAA East Regional where they finished 19^th out of 31 schools competing.  Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded a 61-39 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.

The USP men again had their most successful season in the past ten years, placing no lower than fourth in four of their five regular season meets.   At the CACC Championship the Devils topped last season's third place finish by placing second behind conference champion Felician College, placing four runners on the All-Conference Team. USP culminated their season with their best finish ever at the NCAA East Regional, placing 16^th amongst the 30 schools competing. Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded an 85-15 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.