Titans Honored For Academic Excellence

UW-Oshkosh women's cross country runners Christy Cazzola (So. • Kaukauna), Allison Gehl (Sr. • Sherwood) and McKenzie Kelly (So. • New Richmond) have received NCAA Division III All-Academic honors by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Cazzola, who owns a 3.32 cumulative grade point average as a broadfield social science major, capped an outstanding season by placing fourth at the NCAA Division III Championship held Nov. 20 in Waverly, Iowa. Her effort helped the Titans to a 16th-place finish in the team standings. Cazzola also finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional held Nov. 13 in Rock Island, Ill.

Gehl, who has a 3.65 cumulative grade point average as a social work major, finished 228th at the NCAA Division III Championship and 31st at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

Kelly, who possesses a 3.32 cumulative grade point average as an education major, placed 200th at the NCAA Division III Championship and 35th at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional.

A total of 170 student-athletes represent the 82 institutions that compose the 2010 All-Academic Team. Luther College (Iowa) and Calvin College (Mich.) led the nation with six representatives on the list apiece, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (Calif.) and Emory University (Ga.) followed with five each. The University Athletic Association led all conferences with 16 All-Academic selections, while the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference trailed with 14. The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) had eight honorees.

Six of the top 10 finishers at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship earned All-Academic status, including Jennifer Gossels of Williams College (Mass.) who placed second.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA's Cross Country All-Academic Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or greater through the most-recent semester and placed in the top 35 at a NCAA Division III Regional Championship.

The entire UW-Oshkosh women's cross country team was also cited for its excellence in the classroom. Last fall, the Titans registered a 3.25 cumulative grade point average while finishing 16th at the NCAA Division III Championship, fourth at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional and third at the WIAC Championship. For a team to be considered for All-Academic honors, it must have competed and compiled a score at a NCAA Division III Regional Championship. The squad must also have a minimum 3.10 team cumulative grade point average. A total of 167 NCAA Division III schools were honored by the USTFCCCA, including all nine from the WIAC.