Beeler, Belles Both Recognized for Academic Success

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Saint Mary's senior cross country runner Brittany Beeler and the entire Belles cross country program were recognized for their achievements in the classroom by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Beeler was one of 324 NCAA Division III women's cross country runners to earn All-Academic honors from the USTFCCCA for the 2016 season. According to the coaching association, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) and finish in the top-25 percent at their respective regional in order to earn the individual academic honor. Beeler was one of 17 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's cross country runners to earn the honor. The senior co-captain took 15th place overall in a field of more than 230 runners at the 2016 NCAA Great Lakes Regional race. She is majoring in both biology and Spanish and is earning a minor in chemistry.

For the complete list of all NCAA Division III individual All-Academic honorees for 2016, visit the USTFCCCA's website by clicking here.

Additionally, the entire Belles cross country team joined 215 other NCAA Division III women's cross country programs as All-Academic Team honorees. In order to achieve the USTFCCA's All-Academic Team distinction, a program must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet while also having a minimum team GPA of 3.10 on a 4.0 scale. The Belles posted a 3.40 cumulative grade point average for the fall semester under head coach Jackie Bauters. Saint Mary's was one of seven MIAA women's programs to earn a spot on the list for 2016.

To read see the complete listing of all the programs honored by the USTFCCCA as All-Academic Teams, click here to visit their website.