Courtesy of Bob Heller, USP SID

Philadelphia, Pa. - University of the Sciences in Philadelphia cross country runners Beth Crawford and Jessica Kaminski was amongst the seven female athletes named to the 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Women's Cross Country Team as announced on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Area All-Academic Teams are voted on by the members of the Philadelphia Area Sports Information Directors Association (Philly-SIDA). To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must be a sophomore academically and athletically, attend one of the 28 Philadelphia area colleges and universities and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Crawford (Camden Catholic High School/Haddon Heights, N.J.) was one of the Devils top three runners in 2009, earning All-Conference honors for the second consecutive year, placing 13^th at the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) championship meet in October. Beth is one of just four women's cross country athletes in school history to earn All-CACC honors two or more times.

The senior captain was the Devils top finisher at the Cabrini Invitational and the Belmont Classic in 2009, placing 29^th at Cabrini and sixth at the Classic.  Beth's  time of 21:08 at this year's Belmont Classic was her best of the season and just three seconds behind her fastest ever  5,000-meter time, set at the 2008 CACC Championships. Crawford concluded her career with a 27:28 6,000-meter mark at the 2009 NCAA East Regional in Boston, Massachusetts, helping the Devils to a 20^th place finish. 

Kaminski (CharterSchool of Wilmington/Hockessin, Del.) was one of the Devils top four runners in 2009, competing in every race for USP.  In 2009, Jessica established personal best times at 5,000-meters and 6,000-meters during the course of the season, recording a 22:22 at the Philadelphia Metro Meet and concluding the season with a 27:31 6K mark at the 2009 NCAA East Regional Championships in Boston, Massachusetts.

Crawford and Kaminski are both pharmacy majors, pursuing a doctor of Pharmacy degree. Both runners have excelled in the classroom, with Kaminski recording a 3.967 cumulative grade point average through her first four semesters at USP and Crawford recording a 3.533 overall g.p.a.

This fall, Kaminski was named USP's 2009 Pharmacy Professional Service Award recipient.  This award is given to a first professional year PharmD. student for outstanding leadership activities within USP and continued service to the local community.  Jess is also a member of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy's Deans Advisory Council and a member of USP's Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

Prior to the 2009 season, Crawford and Kaminski was named recipients of the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, given by the D-II ADA to student athletes who have completed at least four semesters and have a grade point average of 3.5 or better. 

Joining Crawford and Kaminski on the 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Women's Cross Country Team are Alycia Tranchitella of Gwynedd-Mercy College (Area Performer of the Year), Robin England (Rutgers-Camden), Nicole Schappert and Kaitlyn Tallman (Villanova University) and  Sara Simonetti (Philadelphia University).

Kaminski and Crawford are both on track to graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Crawford has completed her eligibility as a member of the USP women's cross country team while Kaminski has two years of eligibility remaining.