February 15, 2012
USTFCCCA honors cross country team, Smith
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) awarded All-Academic recognition to the Grove City College women's cross country team Wednesday in recognition of the team's performance in the classroom during the fall 2011 semester.
Additionally, junior Ella Smith (Becker, Minn./Becker) earned the USTFCCCA's individual All-Academic award.
Last fall, Grove City compiled a team grade-point average of 3.49 for the semester. The team award is presented to programs that record a GPA of 3.10 or higher during the season.
Grove City captured its 22nd straight Presidents' Athletic Conference title in 2011 and also finished fifth out of 56 teams at the NCAA Division III Mideast Championships. That marked Grove City's second consecutive fifth-place finish at the regional championships.
Smith owns a 3.70 grade-point average with majors in both exercise science and psychology. She took 19th at the Mideast Championships, earning All-Region recognition. The USTFCCCA honors student-athletes who have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or greater and place in the top 35 at his or her respective NCAA Regional Championship.
Smith has also twice been named to the conference's Academic Honor Roll. She is a three-year letterwinner and three-time First Team All-PAC honoree.