NEWARK, DE --- Both the University of Delaware men’s and women’s cross country teams have been honored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their academic success during the 2006 seasons.

The Delaware men were among 86 NCAA Division I teams nationally while the Blue Hen women were among 145 Division I schools across the country that posted a cumulative team grade point average of 3.0 or better for the fall semester.

Head coach Jim Fischer’s squad had a team cumulative grade point index of 3.040 for the fall semester with nine of the 17 team members posting a 3.0 or better gpa, including five with a 3.5 or better showing. Alex Gambogi (at right) had the team’s best gpa for the semester at 3.738. Among Colonial Athletic Association schools, William & Mary, Hofstra, and George Mason were also honored.

Head coach Sue McGrath-Powell’s women’s posted a cumulative gpa of 3.307 on a 4.0 scale for the fall as 20 of the 25 team members posted a 3.0 or better gpa, including seven who had a 3.5 or better mark. Laura Heenan had the team’s best gpa for the fall semester with a 4.000 mark. Among Colonial Athletic Association schools, William & Mary, Hofstra, and Towson were also honored.

Iona was named the 2006 NCAA Division I All-Academic Men’s Cross Country Team of the Year with Stanford’s Neftalem Araia, the 2006 NCAA championships runner-up, being named the NCAA Division I All-Academic Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

Stanford was named the 2006 NCAA Division I All-Academic Women’s Cross Country Team of the Year with Colorado’s Jenny Barringer, the 2006 NCAA championships runner-up, being named the NCAA Division I All-Academic Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

The Team of the Year Award is presented to the highest-finishing school at the NCAA Championships that meets All-Academic team qualifications. Wright State had the highest men’s cumulative grade point index at 3.707 while Brigham Young had the highest women’s cumulative grade point index at 3.730.