Monday, March 08, 2010

The Lipscomb Bisons cross country team ranked eighth nationally in the NCAA Division Men’s Cross Country All-Academic Team rankings for 2009.

The honors are given by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Bisons cumulative grade point average after the fall semester was 3.49.

A record total of 135 Division I men’s programs received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors, up from 2008’s total of 110.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Championship and also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative GPA.

The women’s team also was named All-Academic.

"I'm very proud of both our men's and women's teams for earning national academic honors again,” Lipscomb cross country coach Bill Taylor said. “We continue to standout as a program on the rise athletically, while taking care of things in the classroom.

“My desire is to build a well-rounded program that develops our athletes physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. We do service projects as a team every four to six weeks to show Christ's love to the world in need. We have team devotions and prayer to grow in our faith. “

The cross country teams are also improving athletically.

“We continue to get better and better athletically as we build a top NCAA Division I program,” Taylor said. “We strive to demonstrate and develop the highest character at all times.

“And we always rank among the best in the nation academically. I expect to get better and better in every way every year."