Luther Cross Country Team Named USTFCCCA All-Academic Team
March 4, 2009
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Tuesday, March 3, that the Luther College men’s cross-country team has received the All-Academic team award for the 2008 season.
For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.10 team cumulative grade point average.
The Luther men’s team was one of 103 NCAA Division III programs to be so honored, and was also one of three teams from the Iowa Conference to appear on the list. Luther’s cumulative team grade-point-average was (3.376), followed by Simpson College (3.342), and Wartburg College (3.220).
Complete USTFCCCA All-Academic Team list
Under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Steve Pasche, the Norse cross-country team had another outstanding season. Luther captured its third consecutive Iowa Conference title and a league record 30th overall. Six members of the squad earned all-conference honors by placing in the top-15 at the IIAC Championships. Luther’s bid for a third consecutive trip to the NCAA III National Championships fell short, as the Norse placed seventh from the field of 26 teams at the Central Regional.
Senior David McKay won the individual title at the Central Regional and was named the USTFCCA Central Region Athlete of the Year. He went on to finish eighth at the national finale earning All-American honors for the second time of his career. He also became just the fifth Luther runner to post a top-10 finish at the national championships.
