Courtesy of Bob Heller, USP SID

New Orleans, La. - 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 2009 season.

For the USP women, it marks the seventh 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 third consecutive year and fourth time in the last five seasons. In 2009-10 the men’s and women’s cross country programs and their runners have now earned a total of 19 academic awards (17 individual and the two team awards).

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. The team must have competed and compiled a team score 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 3.320 for the Fall 2009 semester while the men’s cross country team members recorded a team cumulative GPA of 3.100.

The USP women's cross country team's cumulative g.p.a. has been at least 3.0 or better in each of the past 12 seasons under head coach Bob Heller. (23 consecutive semesters) The women’s team was one of just four Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) teams selected and one of 101 teams nationally to earn this honor amongst the 272 division II schools that offer cross country. The women’s team g.p.a. of 3.320 is fifth best amongst East Region teams and ranked 63rd nationally. The USP men’s cross country team is the sole CACC representative amongst the 62 schools nationally selected. The men’s team g.p.a. is ranked fifth amongst East Region teams and 51st nationally. In 2009, the USP women recorded top ten finishes in all five of their regular season meets. The Devils placed fourth at the CACC Championships, had two runners named to the All-Conference Team and proceeded to compete at the NCAA East Regional where they finished 20th out of 32 schools competing. Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded a 62-23-1 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.

The USP men recorded another successful season, finishing no lower than sixth place in any of their five regular season meets. At the CACC Championship the Devils placed fourth amongst the 10 CACC schools competing.  USP culminated their season with their second best finish ever at the NCAA East Regional, placing 19th amongst the 32 schools competing. Entering the regional meet, the Devils recorded a 62-18 record against all the teams they competed against in their previous contests.