USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Teams

USTFCCCA Men's All-Academic Teams

USTFCCCA Men's All-Academic Individuals

TACOMA, Wash. — The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recognized programs and student-athletes for outstanding work in the classroom on Thursday with the Pacific Lutheran University men's and women's cross country programs earning several awards. 

The men's and women's cross country teams both earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team Award while for the second straight year Owen Ladinig and Ryan Stracke earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award.

The men's cross country program wins the Academic Team Award after compiling a 3.59 cumulative grade point average. PLU was one of seven Northwest Conference programs to earn the award and PLU boasts the second highest GPA of the seven teams recognized. The Lute women win the award with a 3.70 cumulative GPA and like the men, are one of seven NWC institutions to secure the accolade. Teams are eligible for the award by maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.1 or better on a 4.0 scale. 

Both Ladinig and Stracke earn individual All-Academic honors for the second consecutive season by virtue of holding a GPA above a 3.30 and finishing in the top 25 percent at the regional championship meet. Ladinig, a communications major, was All-NWC and All-West Region this fall, finishing eighth overall at the NWC Champion ships on Oct. 28 and placing 26th at the NCAA West Region Championships on Nov. 11. A mathematics major, Stracke was an national meet qualifier this fall, finishing sixth at the NWC Championships, third at the NCAA West Region Championships, before placing 46th at the NCAA Division III Championships on Nov. 18 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.