NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Saginaw Valley State University women's cross country team earned 2012 Division II All-Academic Cross Country recognition as announced today (Feb. 25) by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Lady Cardinals recorded a 3.503 cumulative team GPA, the 12th highest in the country.

A total of 127 institutions represent 23 conferences that compose the group. The PSAC claimed 15 squads on the All-Academic list to lead all conferences. The Northeast-10 followed with 12.

King College reported the highest cumulative team GPA in the country for all divisions and genders through the fall 2012 semester at 3.819. Valdosta State followed at 3.77

To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have compiled a team score at their respective NCAA regional championship

The SVSU women's cross country team was individually represented by senior Lauren Hill (Flat Rock, Mich.), sophomore Tori Peet (Lapeer, Mich. / Lapeer West), sophomore Emily Short (Tawas, Mich. / Tawas Area) and freshman Taylor Stepanski (Alpena, Mich.) on the USTFCCCA 2012 Division II Cross Country All-Academic Team.

A total of 345 student-athletes represent the 126 institutions that compose the group.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team in Division II, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or greater through the most-recent semester, completed at least 12 credit hours in the semester of cross country competition, and placed in the top 50 percent at the most recent NCAA National Championships or in the top 30 percent at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Click here to view the individual release

Click here to view the team release