Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech cross country program was recently recognized for its performance off the course, with both the men's and women's teams earning All-Academic Team awards from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The Atlantic Coast Conference tied with the Big 12 Conference at 10 teams apiece on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team list, while the ACC was represented by seven men's teams.
For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, it must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.
Three individuals from Tech's women's cross country team were named to the 2007 USTFCCCA All-Academic team, including the Hokies' third women's cross country All-American in school history and first since 2003, Tasmin Fanning. The human nutrition, foods and exercise major and communication minor finished 12th in last fall's NCAA Championships, after completing the 6k race in 21:55.
Natalie Sherbak finished 10th at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet in Louisville, Ky., with a time of 20:44.55. Jessica Fanning also received recognition by placing 22nd (21:15.80) at the regional meet. Sherbak, a marketing major, and Fanning, who majors in architecture, both qualified for the award after finishing in the top 15 percent of the 225 runners at the regional meet.
The award honors student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and have completed a minimum 24 semester hours through the 2007 fall term. Additionally, the student-athlete must finish in the top 15 runners or top ten percent of finishers at their respective NCAA regional meet, or receive All-American honors.