NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently honored 20 cross country NCAA Division III All-Academic Individuals and 15 All-Academic Teams from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Fifteen women from six MIAA programs and five men from two conference schools earned recognition as Scholar Athletes.  The Hope women were one of two programs with seven All-Academic honorees to lead programs of both genders. The Calvin men led the league with three nominees. 

In total, there were 352 women from 207 teams and 268 men from 151 teams who nabbed USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. To earn that distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and finish in the top 25 percent at their respective regional. There were 25 women that posted perfect GPAs (4.00), while 12 men did the same.

Eight women’s teams and seven men’s squads from the MIAA claimed All-Academic Team honors. Seven MIAA schools achieved honors for both teams and Saint Mary’s earned laurels on the women’s side. 

Alma’s women led the way overall with a team grade point average of 3.71. Olivet led the men’s squads with a team GPA of 3.52.

Overall, there were 207 women’s teams that finished the semester with GPAs of 3.1 or better. For the men, there were 151 teams with GPAs of 3.1. 

See below for the full list of individuals who were named USTFCCCA All-Academic and for a closer look at teams that earned All-Academic honors.

2015 DIVISION III MEN’S ALL-ACADEMIC INDIVIDUALS (5)
NAME                      INSTITUTION
Andrew Philipose      Calvin
Jeff Meitler               Calvin
Jordan Kramer          Calvin
Joseph Beemer         Hope
Tyler Brinks              Hope

2015 DIVISION III WOMEN’S ALL-ACADEMIC INDIVIDUALS (15)
NAME                    INSTITUTION
Jessica Shaw          Albion
Kaitlyn Arnold         Alma
Kate McLain            Calvin
Katie Diekema        Calvin
Autumn Vonk          Calvin
Laura Strohbehn     Calvin
Erin Herrmann        Hope
Julia Stock              Hope
Emily Joosse           Hope
Sarah Neumar         Hope
Avery Lowe             Hope
Michelle Kerr           Hope
Emily Hamilton        Hope
Allyson Schultz        Olivet
Brittany Beeler        Saint Mary’s

2015 DIVISION III MEN’S ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS (7)
Institution     Head Coach               GPA
Adrian             Ben Carlson                3.326
Albion             Derick Lawrence          3.257
Alma               Matt Chovanec            3.384
Calvin             Brian Diemer               3.48
Hope               Mark Northuis             3.23
Olivet              Karen Lutzke              3.52
Trine               Zach Raber                 3.267

2015 DIVISION III WOMEN’S ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS (8)
Institution     Head Coach              GPA
Adrian             Ben Carlson               3.26
Albion             Derick Lawrence         3.489
Alma               Matt Chovanec           3.71
Calvin             Brian Diemer              3.59
Hope               Mark Northuis            3.59
Olivet              Karen Lutzke             3.49
Saint Mary’s     Jackie Bauters           3.41
Trine               Zach Raber                3.554