Feb. 12, 2008 – Juniors Grace DelNero, Bryant England and Danna Kelly were named to the NCAA Division II United States Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association all-Academic team for the past Cross Country season.  In addition, both the men's and women's cross country programs were selected as an all-Academic team.

 

Kelly (Boone, Iowa/Boone) was the Bulldogs representative at this year’s NCAA Division II National Championship race.  Kelly qualified for her first nationals’ appearance with a sixth place showing at the regional event held in Joplin.  She led the Bulldogs in five of six races this season, including first overall at the season opening Miner Invitational.

 

DelNero (Leawood, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) placed 12th at the regional race and was the runner-up to Kelly in all but one race this season.  She did come across the line first for Truman at the MIAA Championships, held in Kirksville.

 

England (Elliot, Iowa/Griswold) was 32nd at the regional meet and was the first Bulldog to cross the line in two of the final three meets of the season.  His best overall finish was 13th at the season opening Miner Invitational.

 

In total, there were 127 male student-athletes and 202 female student-athletes named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic squad.  To be eligible, a student-athlete must have a 3.25 GPA and place in the top 30% at their respective regional race.

 

To be eligible for the team honor, teams must list all student-athletes whose names appear on the NCAA eligibility form and who have competed in 50 percent or more of the cross country competitions on the schedule.  Additionally, the team must compete at the NCAA Division II regional championships and have a team cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.