Kansas Men's and Women's Cross Country Recognized for Academic Success

April 30, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With 21 Academic All-Big 12 honorees in the last two years, the University of Kansas men’s and women’s cross country teams were among the 66 cross country programs to receive public recognition awards by the NCAA for their multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Designed to provide a real-time look at academic success at NCAA Division I institutions, the Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores track the academic progress of each student-athlete on every Division I team. The scores take into account eligibility, retention, and graduation, providing a clear picture of a team’s current academic status.

Following the 2007 season, as announced by the Big 12 Conference, 12 Jayhawk cross country runners were named to the Academic All-Big 12 teams.

Seniors Paul Hefferon (marketing) and Lisa Morrisey (communications), juniors Alex Rock (secondary chemistry education) and Megan James (exercise science), and sophomores Dan Van Orsdel (Business), Lauren Bonds (Political Science), Claire Hall (exercise science) and Sarah Nackley (health, sport and exercise science) were All-Big 12 First Team selections. Seniors Hayley Harbert (secondary English education) and Colby Wissel (accounting/history) joined junior Levi Huseman (secondary education/science) and sophomore Kaitlyn Coen (accounting/finance) on the All-Big 12 Second team.

Division I teams selected for public recognition earned a multi-year APR of at least 965 on a 1000 point scale. Teams also had to score a multi-year APR in the top 10% of all teams in their sport to achieve recognition.

This year, men’s cross country tied with men’s basketball for the highest number of men’s teams recognized in a sport (33).