By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's and men's cross country teams have continued their long-standing tradition of success in the classroom by earning All-Academic recognition from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their efforts as student-athletes during the 2020 fall semester.

Nationwide in NCAA Division III, a total of 216 women's cross country teams and 180 men's cross country teams were chosen for the All-Academic Team award. Each team had to achieve at least a 3.1 cumulative team grade point average to earn All-Academic status. Due to COVID-19, teams did not have to compete at a cross country meet in order to qualify for the award.

The Willamette women's team achieved a 3.54 cumulative team GPA through the 2020 fall semester. The Bearcat men's squad concluded the fall semester with a 3.59 cumulative team GPA. A total of six Northwest Conference women's teams and six NWC men's teams qualified for All-Academic status.

Leading the nation in NCAA Division III in cumulative team GPA were the women's team from Geneva College (Pa.) at 3.92 and the men's team from Washington University (Mo.) at 3.76.